Chloe Mattilio Becomes First PSC Woman to Earn US National Team Honors in Snowshoe Racing
Freshman Chloe Mattilio Places 3rd at US Nationals to Earn a Berth on the US National Team
March 3, 2014
Paul Smith's College Snowshoe Athletes Enjoy Solid Performances
at US Nationals in Woodford, Vermont: March 1 and 2nd
5K Junior Results: Chloe Mattilio finished third in the Junior Women's 5K at US Snowshoe Nationals to earn a spot on the US National team with a finish time of 26:31. Mattilio combined with fellow Paul Smith's College runners Lauren Brieant and Sarah Butler to win the Women's Junior Nationals Team title. Lauren Brieant completed the challenging course in 33:11, with team mate Sarah Butler a mere second behind.
Individually Jeanette Cudney, Cazenovia, NY won the junior 5K in 26:03, followed by Rachel Jones from Rochester, NY in 26:24. Mattilio defeated both young women earlier this season at the Empire State Snowshoe Racing championships, but only by a total of six seconds.
PSC runner Nicolas Pendl finished the 5K in 22:59, to earn a 4th place finish. Mitchell Ryan of Plattsburgh (SUNY – Cortland) won the 5K in 21:53, while Carter Stripp (Massachusetts) took second in 22:24, while Zach Marshall (Vermon) placed third only one second behind. The top three finishers earn spots on the national team.
10K Senior Results: Paul Smith's College had a dozen athletes compete in the 10K, with several solid finishes. Ashley Evans (1:14:45), Lea Anthony (1:17:19) and Corrie Desilets (1:22:48) placed 4th, 5th and 6th respectively in the age 20 – 24 category for women. There were a total of 114 women finishers.
On the men's side, there were 213 finishers in the 10K, with David LePorho (Canada) winning in 41:51, and fellow Canadian Joel Bourgeois taking second in (42:06). Alan Cushman was our top Paul Smith's College finisher (59th place) crossing the line in 55:01, followed closely by Louis Ferrone III in 55:06 (60th).
Chris Peterson, Dave Kucia and Eric Kowalik all broke an hour, with times of 57:07, 58:13 and 58:56 respectively.
Nearly 400 competitors came to the event from 22 states, as well as eight nations in the largest US National snowshoe championships ever.
4 X 2.5 Km Relays: The Paul Smith's College women defended their national relay title with Lea Anthony, Corrie Desilets, Lauren Brieant and Sarah Butler teaming to cover the 10K course in 1:16:02. For Anthony and Desilets, this is their second consecutive national women's relay title. Louis Ferrone III, Nik Pendl, Chloe Mattilio and Ashley Evans combined to win the co-ed 10K relay gold medal with a time of 58:11. Jack Mulvihill, Alan Cushman, David Kucia and Matt Williams placed second in the mixed age men's relay with an impressive 52:43.
Sap Run (Snowshoe Hill Climb): The Paul Smith's College again proved that they excel in running hills, with five earning top three spots on the podium. The trio of men included Alan Cushman (first), David Kucia (second), and Matt Williams (third) while Ashley Evans (first) and Chloe Mattilio (second) all took home Vermont's liquid gold (maple syrup) for their hill running prowess.
The 2015 edition of the US Nationals has been awarded to Lowes Creek County Trails in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Complete race results can be found at: http://www.snowshoeracing.com/national_championship14.htm