Rochester, NY--RSC's men's cross country team opens the fall of 2023 season on Saturday, September 2 when that take to the course at the APHSC's Orchard Opener to be held at Idian Ladder Farms in Altamont, NY. Action commences at 11 a.m. and scoring will be available through Finish Right Timing.
The Gators are looking to make a run at Nazareth University is looking to earn its fourth consecutive Empire 8 Championship, as the 2023 men's cross country season gets underway on Sept. 1. The Empire 8 Championship will take place at Parkview Fairways in Victor, NY, hosted by Nazareth University on Saturday, Oct. 28.
Ethan Billings, St. John Fisher, Sr., Wantage, NJ/High Point Regional – Billings, a two-time Empire 8 Player to Watch, won the 2022 Empire 8 Individual Championship, while also grabbing first team accolades for the third time. He was also named Empire 8 Rookie of the Year in Spring, 2021.
Jesse Bolster, Keuka, So., Stratford, NY/Dolgeville – Bolster, the Wolves Empire 8 Player to Watch for the second consecutive year, was their top finisher in the 2022 Championship.
Nathan Bowers, Nazareth, Gr., Endicott, NY/Owego Free Academy – Bowers was the runner-up in each of the last three Empire 8 Championship races and was the 2022 Empire 8 Runner of the Year. He will look to earn his fourth straight All-Empire 8 first team accolade (fifth honor overall) and lead Nazareth to four straight team titles this fall.
Aidan Freda, Hartwick, Jr., Westtown, NY/Minisink Valley – Freda, a two-time Empire 8 Player to Watch, was Hartwick's top finisher at both the 2021 and 2022 E8 Championships.
Caleb Kasper, Houghton, Sr., Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park – Kasper, a back-to-back Empire 8 Player to Watch, placed fourth overall at the 2022 Empire 8 Championships to earn All-Empire 8 first team accolades. He was also a second team selection during the Spring 2021 season.
Anthony Leotta, Utica, So., Dix Hills, NY/Half Hollow Hills West – Leotta placed 30th overall at the 2022 Empire 8 Championship and will look to be a top contender in the 2023.
Christopher Pellegrini, Russell Sage, So., Loudonville, NY/Colonie Central High School – Pellegrini will be counted on to lead the Gators in 2023.
Yuner Sesmas, Alfred, Jr., Apollo, PA/Kiski Area – Sesmas placed 48th overall at the 2022 Empire 8 Championship and will look to lead an emerging group of Alfred student-athletes.
Nazareth
The Golden Flyers enter the 2023 season looking to win their fourth straight Empire 8 title for first year head coach Mike Heymann, who previously served as associate head coach for five years. The Golden Flyers return three of their top five finishers from last season's E8 Championship winning team, including graduate student Nathan Bowers. Bowers is a three-time Empire 8 Championship runner-up and was named the 2022 Empire 8 Runner of the Year after earning All-Region honors. He will look to earn his fifth All-E8 honor in 2023. Cade Eells, the 2021 Empire 8 Rookie of the Year and 2022 All-E8 first team selection is back to look for his first individual title. All-E8 second team selection Antonio Benitez also returns after placing second among all first-year runners at last season's championship. Fellow All-E8 selections Ethan Kenyon, Connor Jackson and Kenny Williams also return.
St. John Fisher
St. John Fisher earned runner-up honors for the third season in a row in 2022. The Cardinals will return a strong group of upperclassmen, including 2022 Empire 8 Championship Runner of the Meet, senior, Ethan Billings. Billings is a three-time All-Empire 8 first team selection and was the Spring 2021 E8 Rookie of the Year. Two-time All-E8 selection Bogdan Rozvora, along with former All-E8 picks Myles Andersen and Riley Nash also return to lead the way. The Cardinals add newcomers Nathan Canale and Jace Stuart who will look to jump right into the lineup.
Houghton
Houghton has finished third in each of the last four Empire 8 Championships and will look to garner its first Empire 8 Championship in 2023. The Highlanders return each of their top-six runners from last season, including senior Caleb Kasper. Kasper finished fourth overall in 2022 to garnered All-E8 first team honors after earning second team accolades during the Spring 2021 season. Zachary Tucker and Amos Bixler were All-E8 second team selections, while Sam Lyon, Ben Allen and James Eustace were third team selections in 2022. Newcomer Luke Ellis will vie for a spot in the top-six as well this season.
Utica
Utica will look to improve on last year's fourth place finish at the Empire 8 Championships. Despite the loss of All-E8 second team selection Michael Roberts, the Pioneers have a strong returning group ready to lead the way. Anthony Leotta placed 30th overall at the 2022 Empire 8 Championship and will be expected to lead the way, along with Hayden Lohmann who placed 28th at the E8 Championship. Zach Brown and Tobias Jeralds will also be counted on to help lead the Pioneers. Bennett Melita, Ben Bellinger and Eddy Corporan are three exciting additions, who can contribute right away.
Alfred
Alfred will look to improve its place in the Empire 8 after finishing fifth in 2022. The Saxons return their top seven runners from last season in 2023 for head coach Matt Phillips. Max Rasilla was Alfred's top finisher at the 2022 E8 Championships, placing 45th overall. George Mecca Yuner Sesmas and Fin Dean also garnered top-50 finishes last season. All four student-athletes will be counted on to lead the way in 2023. Jacob Taylor and Carter Buckman will be key additions to the roster for the new season.
Keuka
With two seasons under their belt, Keuka will look to improve at the 2023 Empire 8 Championships. Sophomore Jesse Bolster is poised to lead the Wolves for the second consecutive year. Newcomer Dominick Panko will be expected to make an impact right away for the Wolves.
Hartwick
The Hawks will look to vault up the standings in the 2023 Empire 8 Championship under first year head coach Nathan Crews. Junior Aidan Freda is back after a being the top Hartwick finisher in both the 2021 and 2022 Empire 8 Championship events. Newcomer Erik Higgins will also be a key addition to the team.
Russell Sage
Russell Sage will look to make its way up the Empire 8 standings this fall. After the loss of Joe Degiorgio, Christopher Pellegrini will be looked at to lead the way for the Gators. Robert Cusato and Isaac Langer will also be contenders this season. Jonathan Reese is an exciting newcomer that will help to complete the 2023 team.
Final 2022 Empire 8 Men's Cross Country Championship Results
Nazareth – 23 Points – League Champions
St. John Fisher – 56
Houghton – 62
Utica – 107
Alfred – 145
Keuka – 190
Medaille – 209
Hartwick – No Team Score
Russell Sage – No Team Score
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit www.empire8.com and YouTube
