Pavlus, Saints Claim 2009 Hoffmann Invitational Titles

by: 

Tara Freeman

Senior Wendy Pavlus (right) won the 2009 Hoffmann Invitational.

Sept. 19: The nationally-ranked St. Lawrence University women's cross country team put on an impressive display in their first home meet of the season on Saturday.  The Saints earned eleven top-20 finishes to earn the team title, while junior Wendy Pavlus edged sophomore teammate Jenna Hulton for the individual crown.

"We ran extremely well today top to bottom," said St. Lawrence head women's cross country coach Mike Howard, whose team entered Saturday's race ranked 12^th in the nation.  "To beat a team like No. 17 Cortland State as convincingly as we did should be a big confidence boost for our ladies as we build towards the Paul Short Invitational."

Pavlus led a pack of four St. Lawrence women that were determined to set a quick pace for the rest of the field.  The Tupper Lake, NY native won with a time of 22:20, one second ahead of Hulton and four seconds ahead of senior captain Johannah Ludington.  First-year student Jackie Lemme turned in the best performance of her young collegiate career with a fourth place finish in 22:56.

Senior Hillary St. John (8^th, 23:26) and sophomores Megan Derby (9^th, 23:38) and Jenny Kaagan (10^th, 24:08) would complete the Saints' team scoring at a total of 18 points, 29 clear of Cortland State in second place.

First-year student Andrea Maynard picked up a 12^th place finish in 24:15, while sophomores Melanie Solandt (16^th, 24:31) and McKayla Nuffer (19^th, 24:34) followed.  Senior Alexis Nuffer was the team's 11^th finisher in the top-20, clocking in at 24:39 for 20^th place overall in the field of 73 runners.

Other St. Lawrence representatives in the Hoffmann Invitational included Elizabeth Atwood (22^nd, 25:09), captain Chelsea Nuffer (25^th, 25:30), Katie Loignon (26^th, 25:33), Abbie Macbeth (29^th, 25:50), Elizabeth Edwards (34^th, 26:05), Caroline Raue (36^th, 26:14), Erikka Nuffer (38^th, 26:33), Megan Nuffer (47^th, 27:46) and Rachel Kuklinski (63^rd, 31:13).

St. Lawrence won the Hoffmann Invitational having defeated Cortland State for the first time in over two years.  The Red Dragons were second, followed by the University of Ottawa (84), Clarkson (111), Paul Smith's (145) and SUNY Canton (170).

The Scarlet and Brown will have next weekend off before traveling to Lehigh for the 2009 Paul Short Invitational, one of the most prestigious cross country events in the nation.  The Saints will compete amongst Division I, II and III teams on Friday, October 2^nd at 11:00am.