PITTSFORD, NY – The SUNY Geneseo Knights showcased their dominance at the 2025 Empire 8 Women’s Cross Country Championship, claiming their second consecutive league title on Saturday, November 1. The championship race took place at the Murphy Cross Country Course, hosted by St. John Fisher University.
Performance Highlights
In a remarkable display of athletic prowess, SUNY Geneseo swept the podium, with senior Ann Brennan finishing first overall in a time of 22:22.7, a full 21 seconds ahead of her closest competitor. The Knights, who currently hold the 15th position in the United States Track and Field & Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Division III rankings, achieved a team score of 22 points—placing six runners in the top ten.
Team Standings
The results of the championship are as follows:
- SUNY Geneseo – 22 Points (Team Champion)
- Houghton University – 69 Points (Runner-Up)
- SUNY Brockport – 83 Points
- Nazareth University – 94 Points
- Utica University – 137 Points
- St. John Fisher University – 143 Points
- Hartwick College – 214 Points
- Alfred University – 224 Points
- Keuka College – 294 Points
- SUNY Poly and Russell Sage – No Team Score
Individual Achievements
Brennan’s triumph follows a strong finish at the previous year’s championship, where she placed third. Her teammate, Ari Reback, made an impressive comeback, finishing second with a time of 22:43.5, while Sierra Doody completed the top three with a time of 22:46.3.
Notable performances included Noelle Linenfelser from Houghton, who, as the 2023 Empire 8 Champion, secured fourth place with a time of 22:47.4. Marlo Townsend, also from Houghton, finished fifth at 22:55.7. Additional All-E8 first team members included Ella Impaglia of Nazareth, Annika Hurley and Salma Moulmen of Brockport, and Jillian O’Rourke of Geneseo, who all demonstrated exceptional talent during the event.
Acknowledgments and Future Events
The Empire 8 Conference is set to announce the All-Conference selections in November. Runners finishing in the top nine will earn first-team honors, while those finishing from 10th to 18th will be named to the second team, and those ranked 19th to 27th will receive third-team recognition.
Looking ahead, cross country athletes will compete again at the NCAA Atlantic Region Championships on November 15, 2025, starting at 12 p.m. This event will take place at Genesee Valley Park in Rochester, NY and will be hosted by the University of Rochester.
Special Recognitions
During the championship, Emberlynn Nolt from Houghton received the Torchbearer Award, recognizing her academic excellence with a 4.0 GPA.
Conclusion
The results from the 2025 Empire 8 Women’s Cross Country Championship highlight the competitive spirit and hard work of all participants, with SUNY Geneseo solidifying their esteemed reputation within the conference.
