KEENE, N.H (August 31, 2024) – The Beacons Men's and Women's Cross Country Teams opened their season at the Keene State Alumni Meet from Keene, N.H.

Men's Team: 6^th of 7 Teams

Senior Cody Wittcum led the men's team with a 22^nd overall finish in 17:18.1 (5:34 mile-split) out of 75 other competitors. Following Wittcum was junior Robert Cannon, who crossed the 5k course finish line at 17:29.3 (5:37.7 mile pace) and finished 29^th out of the field.

Also opening up their season on a fresh start; junior Isaiah Stressman in 19:20.8 (6:13.6), senior Sebastian Bien-Aime in 22:28.3 (7:13.9), and sophomore Elmani Debarros in 23:44.2 (7:38.4).

Following the completion of his first meet as a Beacon, Head Coach Ozzie Brown reflected on the men's team's performance, saying, "The men ran tough against some good competition today.  Our guys are learning race management, and this puts us in a good spot.  Our guys are hungry, and we will only get better using this as the starting point!".  

Women's Team: 5^th of 6 Teams

Coach Brown's reaction to the women's team's season opener was positive, as he said "I'm very pleased with how the ladies ran today.  We worked hard during camp and were training through this meet so going out and executing the plan was important.  We are learning to run as a pack, especially up top and it will help drop times down exponentially!"

The Beacons executed the plan to a tee, as the top three finishers for the Beacons crossed the two-mile course finishing line within ten seconds of each other.

Senior Grace Colon led the pack for the Beacons, as she finished within the top 15 out of 70 competing runners in 12:51.7 (6:25 mile pace). Finishing almost directly behind her was junior Jacqueline Earner in 12:57.5 (6:28.8) for a 17th-place finish and junior Shea Roche in 12:59.5 (6:29.8) for a 19^th overall finish.

Also opening their season for the Beacons, junior Aryianna Garceau (15:04.9), junior Angelina Mazzone (15:14.2), senior Harleen Bassan ((16:14.5), Abigail Schell (17:15.7), Alessandra Albano (18:54.1), and junior Heidi Freitas (18:55.9).
The Beacs will continue their season at the Suffolk University Invitational on Saturday, September 7. For results and coverage, visit Men's Cross Country - UMass Boston (sidearmsports.com).