Wes Burkit establishes the fastest 6K time for the women in seven years while placing 3rd in SUNY Canton Kangaroo Invitational

SUNY Canton Kangaroo Race

Men's 8K and Women's 6K

17 September 2022

Storyline:

Wes Burkit placed third for the women with a time of 25:44 to set the fastest time by a runner from Paul Smith's in several years in the 6K.  This was the first 6K race ever for the first year Environmental Science major.  Burkit was followed by Melody Ascioti in 30:25, Reese Covington in 34:12 and Ellie Judice in 37.25. 

Although the women's team was incomplete due to the other runners have academic obligations, the team is really starting to work well together towards some strong performances come the championship portion of the season in October and November.  Melody, Reese and Wes all ran their fastest kilometer pacing of the collegiate season, after racing a couple of 5K's leading up to the 6K on the SUNY Canton campus. 

On the men's side, Ryan Chiari took nearly 2 minutes off his initial attempt at the 8K distance in Vermont Tech last week to pace the Bobcat men with a time of 32:14.  Chiari placed 21^st overall for the men, followed by Logan Krahn in 33:23, good enough for 24^th place.  Nate Shader took a giant step forward, taking more than 2 minutes off from just a week ago, finishing in 35:04, and placing 32^nd.  Captain, Zack Sprott-Scribner was feeling the effects from donating blood earlier in the week, and was the fourth Bobcat to cross the line in 35:46.  Carson Wohlers was the fifth Bobcat to finish, crossing the line in 35:59. 

Six of the members of the Men's Team improved their pace/kilometer, with Issoufou Garba – Hama showing the greatest individual improvement of 57 seconds per kilometer from just a week ago at Vermont Tech.  Garba – Hama finished seventh for the Bobcats with a time of 36:52.  

The team will be taking part in a Family Weekend Fun Run to include both a 10K and half marathon for the team members, respective family members as well as members of the community, with an 8:00 AM start.  This is not a race so much as an enjoyable experience to take advantage of the fall foliage as the runners take off from the junctions of state route 86 & 30 in front of the primary entrance to the college.  Coaches and family members will leapfrog ahead to provide times at key vantage points as well as beverages from the start to the respective finish.  No prizes will be awarded, as this is a social event. 

The team will be heading to Cazenovia, NY for their next foray into collegiate cross country on October 1^st, leading up to the championship portion of the season.  Given the work ethic these runners have demonstrated over their first five weeks, the coaching staff is looking forward to some strong showings in the remainder of the season. 

SUNY Canton Kangaroo Invitational:  Men's 8K and Women's 6K

Paul Smith's College XC Team Results – September 17, 2022 

Team Scores – Women                                             Team Scores – Men

1. Husson  16                                                              1.  St. Lawrence          31

2. SUNY Canton 47                                                    2.  SUNY Poly            50

Paul Smith's – inc.                                                      3.  Husson                   57

SUNY Poly – inc.                                                       4.  Paul Smith's           129

SUNY Potsdam – inc.                                                 5.  Clinton CC             147

                                                                                    6.  NVU – Lyndon      148

                                                                                    7.  SUNY Canton       150

                                                                                    SUNY Potsdam – inc.

Finishers:  24 Women                                                           Finishers:  59 Men