Paul Smith's Snowshoe Team Excels at 5 and 10K Stone Wall Snowshoe race

Race Summary:  Thirteen members of the Paul Smith's College Snowshoe Team headed to the Winona Forest's CCC Camp on Sunday January 23^rd to take part in the annual Stone Wall 5 and 10K snowshoe races.  In typical Tug Hill fashion, the area was the scene of Lake Ontario's lake effect snow squalls, amounting to 4" per hour leading up to the start of the event.

The foot of fresh powder added to the challenges presented by racing a beautiful single track course through the beautiful powder conditions and balmy 22 degrees F temperatures.  

The Paul Smith's College crew shot to the lead at the start, getting into good positions as the race headed into the beautiful mixed woods.  With nearly 100 participants, and many of these walking the course it was critical to stake one's claim early in the race and then settle into a pace that can be maintained throughout the event. 

True to form, many of the Paul Smith's athletes were able to flash classic second grade grins at the one mile mark for the gallery of spectators and press gathered to capture the Kodak moments.  All of the PSC runners were seen enjoying the time running through the woods at this station and again as they approached the finish line.  

Carson Wohlers paced the Bobcats with a second place finish in the 5K in 33:09.  Issouffou Garba – Hama placed 7^th in 43:39 followed by Matt Leichty in 41:03. 

Ellen Haas paced the women's team in the 5K with a 4^th place finish with a time of 41:21.  Samantha Severing placed 7^th in 47:25, followed by Ellie Judice in 48:37 (8^th place) and then Haven Bradt in 10^th place with a time of 50:15. 

Sam Finger and Zack Sprott – Scribner ran together throughout the 10K and finished in 6^th and 7^th place respectively in 1:08:51.4 and 1:08:51.6 respectively.  Sam overtook Zack entering the final 20 meters, and the two battled to cross the line.  Connor Flynn placed 15^th overall in 1:17:29.  

Paul Smith's College will be the host site for the Empire State Games Snowshoe events on February 5^th, with the 100, 400 and 800 meter sprints taking place at the College's soccer field in the morning and then the 5K at the VIC starting at 2 PM.  We expect at least 50 snowshoe athletes on hand for the Empire State Games.