PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – On Saturday, Nov. 1, the Plattsburgh State women's cross country team will host the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Championships at the Rugar Woods Cross Country Course. The six-kilometer women's race is set to begin at 12 p.m.

ABOUT THE 2024 SUNYAC CHAMPIONSHIP: Last year, Plattsburgh finished fifth overall with 138 points at the SUNYAC Championships. Of the returners who competed at championships last year, juniors Grace Estus (Clifton Park, N.Y. / Shenendehowa) and Lillian Moran (Albany, N.Y. / Albany) had the best finishes, recording times of 26:15.6 (23rd) and 26:54.9 (34th), respectively.

Cortland captured the title with 39 points behind individual champion Melissa Innocent (23:43.3, 1st), who returns to lead the Red Dragons. Oneonta placed second with 43 points and brings back Gia Engel, who finished seventh with a time of 24:36.0. New Paltz took third with 77 points thanks to Orquidea Briceno (24:29.6, 5th). Oswego State followed in fourth at 110 points as returner Elena Gaffney finished in 16th with a mark of 25:24.7.

The rest of the field was filled out by Fredonia (165 points, 6th), Morrisville (195 points, 7th), Potsdam (207 points, 8th), Buffalo State (246 points, 9th), and Canton (295 points, 10th). The Blue Devils were paced by Calie Hudson (25:18.1, 14th), and the Mustangs were led by Laura Powers (26:34.2, 26th). Potsdam brings back Makayla Farmer, who finished in 27:35.3 (40th), and the Bengals and Kangaroos return their top runners in Katelyn Becker (27:45.5, 41st) and Summer Foster (29:31.4, 49th).

ABOUT THE CARDINALS: The tandem of senior Marissa Colvin (South Glens Falls, N.Y. / South Glens Falls) and Estus has been the driving force all season for the Cardinals, as both have claimed the top finish for Plattsburgh on multiple occasions this season. Estus has been the top finisher in three races, while Colvin was the top finisher in two, and sophomore Ellie LeRoy (Malone, N.Y. / Franklin Academy) earned a top finish in one race this season. Of the Cardinals' core group of scorers, Estus had the best finish at the SUNYAC Championship last season and will look to lead the Cardinals once again on their home course.

Young talent has been a highlight for the Cardinals as LeRoy and classmate Ella Stuttard (Oriskany Falls, N.Y. / Waterville) have been consistent scorers for Plattsburgh, with Stuttard scoring in all five races this season. Graduate student Nora Graves (Plattsburgh, N.Y. / Plattsburgh), senior Ginny Lucchetti (Marcellus, N.Y. / Marcellus), and Moran provide veteran leadership and stability in the middle of the pack, as all three have figured into the scoring of at least two races this year.

Sophomores Isabelle Cunningham (Bethlehem, N.Y. / Bethlehem) and Lexie Rostak (Plattsburgh, N.Y. / Plattsburgh) add depth to the team's scoring lineup as both will look to drive up Plattsburgh's score and displace other runners with their finishes.

Head coach Nathan Petesch will lead the Cardinals into the SUNYAC Championship for the first time in his inaugural season at Plattsburgh. With a balanced mix of veteran leadership and emerging talent, the Cardinals are poised to take advantage of their home course and make a strong push for a top finish at this year's championship.

ABOUT THE 2025 SUNYAC PREVIEW: On Sept. 13, Plattsburgh State hosted a SUNYAC Preview, where they had a chance to preview the six-kilometer championship course. Estus led the way for Plattsburgh, earning first place with a mark of 23:52.0, while Colvin also finished in the top 10 at 23:57.6 (7th). Cunningham, Graves, Lucchetti, and Stuttard all ran the six-kilometer course as well.

Cortland and Oneonta also participated in the SUNYAC Preview. Jewel Jones paced Cortland with a third-place finish, and Natalia Sweat had the top finish for Oneonta, coming in second.

SUNYAC CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY: Overall, former SUNYAC member Geneseo, now a member of the Empire 8 conference, holds the most titles with 22, followed by Cortland with 17 overall conference crowns. Binghamton, which has since moved to Division I, and Plattsburgh are the only other schools with a women's cross country title as the Cardinals look to add number two.