HOUGHTON, NY – The Alfred University men's cross country team began its 2022 season with a 5k race at Houghton University on Thursday night.
 
The Saxons were led by George Mecca (Derby, NY/Eden) who finished 57^th with a time of 17:47.70. Max Rasilla (Moraga, CA/Midland) was shortly behind in 68^th place with a time of 18:01.28. Rasilla led a patch of Saxons that crossed the finish line on Thursday with all of them finishing within 30 seconds of each after him. Kevin Flint (Caledonia, NY/Caledonia-Mumford) was 71^st across the line (18:11.06), Finnegan Dean (Potsdam, NY/Potsdam Central) was 74^th (18:22.71) and Yuner Sesmas (Apollo, PA/Kiski Area) finished 78^th (18:36.94).
 
"We were faster as a team than last year," Head Coach Matt Phillips '10 said. "For both teams, we're in a good place to start and I'm proud of how the Saxons looked today. They were tough and fought hard. The men's team was five minutes faster than they were last year."
 
Nick Erickson (Falconer, NY/Falconer Central) rounded out the Saxon runners in the season-opener with a time of 19:51.25 in 93^rd place.
 
The Saxons will next travel to Penn State Behrend on Friday, September 16 for an 8k race.