MONTGOMERY, N.Y. - Picking up right where it left off, the Stony Brook University men's cross country team continued its stellar start to the 2024 season on Saturday morning, racing to a dominant victory at the Jasper Fall Invitational. The Seawolves outpaced 12 other schools to collect 24 points, as five top-10 finishes helped the Seawolves cruise to victory.
For the second consecutive event to begin the season, Collin Gilstrap was the meet's top performer, winning the 8K race with a time of 24:41.9. Henry Gartner continued his strong start to the year, finishing behind Gilstrap in second with a time of 24:51.0. Rounding out Stony Brook's top-10 performers was Michael Hawkes (4th), Steven Struk (7th), and Thomas Burfeind (10th).
Three more Seawolves registered top-30 finishes, with Luca Maneri (17th), Neel Chittur (25th), and Finn Burke (28th).
HIGHLIGHTS
- Gilstrap takes home his second individual win of the season. He posted an average mile time of 4:58, an event best. His 24:41.9 marks a new personal record for the sophomore.
- Gartner raced to a second-place finish, posting an average mile time of 5:00 and setting a new personal record in the 8K.
- Hawkes placed fourth, finishing in 24:55.3, setting a new personal best in the 8K with his performance.
- Struk (7th) and Burfeind (10th) rounded out the Seawolves' top-10 finishes.
- Stony Brook's victory at the Jasper Invitational makes it two consecutive event wins for the Seawolves to open the 2024 season.
QUOTES FROM THE SEAWOLVES
"I thought Collin looked comfortable again throughout the race, and Henry, Mike, and Steve produced a nice, steady run behind him," head coach Andy Ronan said. "Overall, the squad handled the course and conditions very well."
UP NEXT
Stony Brook will look to keep its momentum going in three weeks when the team travels to Pennsylvania for the Paul Short Run, hosted by Lehigh University.
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