Bucknell University
Father Bede Invitational
Edinger, Yamnicky Lead Bucknell Cross Country to Titles at Father Bede Invite
10/8/2011 8:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country
Oct. 8, 2011
LORETTO, Pa. – Bucknell cross country rested some of its top runners, but the Bison got wins from Robert Yamnicky (Shelton, Conn./Shelton) and Betsy Edinger (Greenwich, N.Y./Greenwich Central) and still ran away with the team titles at the Father Bede Invitational on Saturday afternoon. The Bison men were first in a field of four teams, 16 points ahead of their closest contender, while the women were first of three with an impressive 38-point lead.
The men's squad finished with 25 points and were trailed by Mount St. Mary's (41 points), the host Saint Francis (Pa.) (80) and Hagerstown Community College (94). Running a team of primarily freshmen, the women totaled 15 points, topping Mount St. Mary's (53) and Saint Francis (76).
“We held out a number of our top guys, but the guys who ran looked very good,” said head coach Kevin Donner. “Yamnicky is starting to get in shape and looks to be rebounding into nice form.”
Yamnicky led the pack with a five-kilometer time of 16:09. His closest competitor was The Mount's Louis Gibilisco, who clocked in at 16:22. Competing in his first meet of the season, Tyler Erhard (Millerstown, Pa./East Juniata) was third overall (16:28). Rounding out Bucknell's top five was David Strauss (Orefield, Pa./Parkland), Eric Balaban (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) and Michael McGowan (Ardmore, Pa./Lower Merion) in sixth through eighth, respectively.
Six of Bucknell's top seven finishers on the women's side were freshmen. Edinger, who competed in her first collegiate race at last week's Paul Short Invitational, earned the win with a 5K time of 19:42, making her the only runner to clock a sub-20:00.
“Our women showed a lot of poise and toughness,” said Donner after the meet. “Betsy ran super and seems to be getting in good shape after an early-season back injury. We held out some of our top runners, which allowed our depth to help us win a meet.”
Bucknell's depth continued with Kirstin Rudd (Ithaca, N.Y./Ithaca) who was second overall in 20:02, Ali Foote (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) in third (20:09) and Katie Jessee (Concord, Mass./Concord Carlisle) in fourth (20:14).
Kate VanNess (Alexandria, Ohio/Granville), Montana DiPietrantonio (Mount Laural, N.J./Bishop Eustace) and Becky Snelson (Randolph, N.J./Randolph) wrapped up Bucknell's leading group with sixth through eighth place, respectively.
Bucknell will be back in action on Oct. 14 when it competes at the Penn State National Invitational at University Park, Pa.
TOP BISON MEN'S FINISHERS (5K)
1. Robert Yamnicky – 16:09
3. Tyler Erhard – 16:28
6. David Strauss – 16:33
7. Eric Balaban – 16:34
8. Michael McGowan – 16:39
9. Chris Applegate – 16:50
13. Ryne Carney – 17:02
TOP BISON WOMEN'S FINISHERS (5K)
1. Betsy Edinger – 19:42
2. Kirstin Rudd – 20:02
3. Ali Foote – 20:09
4. Katie Jessee – 20:17
6. Kate VanNess – 20:24
7. Montana DiPietrantonio – 20:33
8. Becky Snelson – 20:36
MEN'S TEAM STANDINGS
1. Bucknell - 25
2. Mount St. Mary's – 41
3. Saint Francis (Pa.) – 80
4. Hagerstown CC - 94
WOMEN'S TEAM STANDINGS
1. Bucknell - 15
2. Mount St. Mary's – 53
3. Saint Francis (Pa.) - 76
