Despite a long and dominating season, both of the Geneseo cross country teams are far from done competing this year. The men and women both claimed titles as SUNYAC champions on Saturday Oct. 29 at Letchworth State Park. The men’s team finished with 23 points, having six runners finish in the top 10, and three in the top five. Junior Isaac Garcia-Cassani added another first place finish, with a final time of 24:54.1. This finish gives him an incredible total of five first place finishes for the season. Seniors Alfredo Mazzuca and Alex Kramer finished in second and third with times of 25:05.8 and 25:22.4, respectively.
The women’s team finished with 28 points and had five top 10 finishers cement their victory. Senior Sara Rosenzweig finished in first with a time of 21:46.6, while senior Marissa Cossaro came in right behind with a second place finish and a time of 21:51.0.
Claiming the titles as SUNYAC champions is a great accomplishment, adding to the impressive success the teams have had over the years. This history of winning has been an important factor in the success of both the current Geneseo cross-country teams and to the individual runners themselves. “I’m a firm believer that success breeds success,” head coach Dan Moore said.
The teams’ success is in some part due to the unity that they have and their sense of group achievement. “This team is special; it’s the most compassionate, supportive group of individuals that anyone could ask for,” Moore said.
Moore also pointed to the leadership of two of his top runners, Garcia-Cassani and Rosenzweig, as a contributing factor to the success of the teams. “They do all of the little things, but they do them better,” Moore said.
Assistant coach Ben Wach added to the praise of Rosenzweig, saying that she has confidence in the team, the coach and their training. This confidence is vital to competing at their level and gives the Knights a great edge.
Moore put the effect that Garcia-Cassani has on the team in a simple statement: “He’s the most savvy racer I’ve ever seen, not just as a coach, but in competitions as well.” With five first place finishes this season alone, it is easy to see why he is so valuable to the team.
Though the teams should be proud of their accomplishments, the SUNYAC championships were not the final destination; Moore is looking ahead to compete nationally. These few weeks before the Atlantic Regional Championships on Nov. 12 are not for celebrating their most recent victory; they are for preparation.
Moore has a great deal of confidence in these teams and their ability to succeed this year. Geneseo should hope to see the team have another dominant performance and push through to greater competition.
“It’s time to recover, time to sharpen and time to get fast,” Moore said.