MILTON, NY (November 5, 2016) – The Vassar College men's cross country team traveled over the Mid-Hudson Bridge Saturday to compete in the ECAC Championships, as five members of the squad toed the line for the 8k run at the Hudson Valley Sports Dome outdoor course.

The team got out in solid pack, up in the top 10 through the first mile, before the rigor of the course showed itself. The course was a true cross country course, with rough footing and plenty of hills, sharp turns and off camber sections to slow the pace and drain the legs.

Despite the tough conditions, the men fought well to hold ground during the race. Junior Jared Freedman crossed the line first for the Brewers with a time of 28:41.9, finishing 24^th overall. Sophomore Sam Kobrin was right behind his junior teammate, placing 26^th overall after running a time of 28:49.4.

Freshman Alex Dennis was 33^rd overall with a time of 29:13.7, and Jake Kobrin was three spots behind Dennis with a 29:18.6 in 36^th place. Freshman Will Dwyer was the final Brewer over the line for Vassar on Saturday, as he was able to chalk up a 30:41.0 for 56^th overall place.

"I'm pleased with how the guys responded during the race - I could really see that everyone was engaged and pushing for their best effort out there," said head coach James McCowan. "Jared was fighting to stay up in the top 25, Sam moved up to just off of Jared, Alex fought tough all the way through." 

Vassar will head back to Rowan University for the third time this season next weekend, running in the NCAA Atlantic Region Regional in Glassboro, NJ.