HOUGHTON, NY – The Alfred University women's cross country team began its 2022 season with a 4k race at Houghton University on Thursday night.
 
The Saxons were led by one of the closest finishes of the day as McKenzie Hall (Hornell, NY/Hornell) finished 31^st overall with a time of 16:30.66, just 0.02 seconds ahead of teammate, Mari Jablonski (Monticello, GA/Jasper County) who took 32^nd.
 
Ivy Vallely (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster) was the third Saxon to cross the finish line on Thursday with a time of 17:18.43, edging out a runner from Roberts Wesleyan College and their time of 17:19.14. Vallely finished in 45^th place. The Roberts Wesleyan runner was surrounded by purple and gold as Sarah Lutkins (Union Springs, NY/Union Springs) was hot on her heels, finishing 47^th with a time of 17:22.37. "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 ladies' team was 11 minutes faster than they were last year."
 
Ashley O'Toole (Simi Valley, CA/Simi Valley) was the next Saxon to finish the 4k race, finishing 68^th overall (18:52.85). Natayla Ryckman (New Eagle, PA/Ringgold) was 75^th (21.22.09) to round out the Saxon runners on Thursday.
 
The Saxons will next travel to Penn State Behrend on Friday, September 16 for a 5:30pm 6k start.