Rochester, NY--RSC's women's cross country team slated to open the new season on September 2 as they travel to Indian Ladder Farm to run in the ACPHS Orchard Opener. Along the way this season, the Gators will be challenging St. John Fisher University who is looking to earn its fourth consecutive Empire 8 Championship, as the 2023 women's cross country season gets underway on Sept. 1. The 2023 Empire 8 championship will take place at Parkview Fairways in Victor, NY, hosted by Nazareth University on Saturday, Oct. 28.
RSC opens the new season on Saturday running at Indian Ladder Farms in Altamont, NY. Action commences at 11 a.m. and scoring will be available through Finish Right Timing.
Players to Watch (Sorted Alphabetically by Name)
Lauren DeMichele, St. John Fisher, Sr., Horseheads, NY/Horseheads – DeMichele is looking to become a four-time All-Empire 8 first team selection in 2023. She has earned top-five finishes at the E8 Championships in each of the last three seasons and was an All-Region selection in 2022.
Jade Dening, Utica, So., Remsen, NY/Remsen – Dening, a two-time Empire 8 Player to Watch, earned All-E8 second team accolades in 2022. In 2021, she was the Empire 8 Rookie of the Year and earned All-E8 first team accolades and All-Region honors.
Brynita Haas, Hartwick, So., Red Creek, NY/Red Creek – Haas was the top finisher for the Hawks at the 2022 Empire 8 Championship, coming in at 29th overall.
McKenzie Hall, Alfred, Jr., Hornell, NY/Hornell – Hall was a 2022 All-Empire 8 second team selection after finishing tenth overall at the league championships.
Lilianna Hanning, Nazareth, Sr., Rochester, NY/Bishop Kearney – Hanning placed second overall at the 2022 Empire 8 Championship, earning her a spot on the All-E8 first team for the second time in her career. In addition, she garnered All-Region plaudits. Hanning was also an All-E8 second team selection in 2021.
Elizabeth Ingellis, Russell Sage, Jr., Kingston, NY/Kingston – Ingellis enjoyed a seventh place finish at the 2022 Empire 8 Championship. She earned All-E8 first team accolades for her effort after garnering third team honors in 2021.
Noelle Linenfelser, Houghton, So., Grand Island, NY/Grand Island – Linenfelser, the reigning Empire 8 Rookie of the Year, finished ninth at the league championship, earning All-E8 second team accolades.
Alison Reigle, Keuka, Sr., Hilton, NY/Hilton – Reigle, a two-time Empire 8 Player to Watch, was Keuka's top performer in 2021 and 2022. She was the top finisher for the Wolves at the 2022 Empire 8 Championship.
Team Capsules (Sorted by 2022 Championship Results)
St. John Fisher
St. John Fisher won its third straight E8 Championship in 2022 and return four of its the top five finishers from last season, including a pair of All-Empire 8 first team selections, one second team and one third team honoree. While St. John Fisher will look to replace two-time E8 Champion and Runner of the Year Riley Corey, Senior Lauren DeMichele, a three-time All-E8 first team selection, will be expected to lead the Cardinals and will look for her first E8 Individual title in 2023. Fellow first team member, senior Laura Witt, senior second team member Brigid McGee and sophomore third team member Olivia Grinnell are key returners who will look to help the Cardinals attempt to win their fourth straight E8 crown. DeMichele and Witt were also All-Region selections in 2022. Sophomore Caitlin Voloshen will also be counted on to earn points for the Cardinals in 2023, while newcomers Margaret Nawojski and Maggie Bacon could crack the team's top-6.
Nazareth
The Golden Flyers look to take the crown at the 2023 Empire 8 Championship with four all-conference runners returning. Senior Lilianna Hanning finished second overall in the 2022 championship and garnered All-Region accolades. She is a two-time All-Empire 8 first team selection and will look for her fourth all-league accolade in 2023. Graduate student Emily Weaver joined Hanning on the first team last season after recording an impressive fifth place finish at the league championship , while sophomore Ella Impaglia and senior Paige Ackley were both All-Empire 8 third team selections. Newcomers Kelsey Fahy, Meghan Moyer and Bailey Visinguard will be key additions to a strong 2023 group, who will be led by head coach Mike Heymann, who spent the previous five seasons as the associate head coach.
Houghton
After a strong finish at the 2022 Empire 8 Championship, Houghton looks to improve in the 2023 season. While Houghton will have to replace Amanda Burrichter, the 2022 Empire 8 Champion, a strong group returns, led by sophomore Noelle Linenfelser. The reigning 2022 Empire 8 Rookie of the Year finished ninth overall at the league championship to earn All-Empire 8 second team honors. Junior Kennedy McCoy returns after an All-E8 third team nod in 2022 along with junior Tabitha Clark, who earned third team honors in 2021 in addition to sophomore Rachael Smith. Aria Larson will add to a competitive team in the fall.
Utica
Utica returns six of its top seven runners from last season, including junior Jade Dening. Dening earned All-Empire 8 second team honors in 2022 and in 2021, was the Empire 8 Rookie of the Year, while recording first team all-league honors and All-Region plaudits. Sophomore Gianna Welker, an All-E8 second team pick, and sophomore Kyla Reed will take on greater roles in 2023. Maria Stuhlman will be a newcomer to watch as the fall progresses.
Alfred
Alfred returns four of its top six runners from 2022 and will look to improve off last season's fifth place finish at the Empire 8 Championship, with new head coach, Matt Phillips at the helm. Junior McKenzie Hall, an All-Empire 8 second team selection, will lead the way for the Saxons. Senior Mari Jablonski, a two-time All-E8 selection, will be a key leader, along with senior Sarah Lutkins. Adia Tompkins will look to make an immediate impact for the Saxons in 2023.
Russell Sage
The Gators of Russell Sage are ready to climb the Empire 8 leaderboard in 2023. Junior Elizabeth Ingellis, who garnered All-E8 first team accolades for her seventh-place overall finish in the 2022 Empire 8 Championship, is the leading returner. Second team pick and 12th overall finisher, senior Mackenzie Feeney in addition to sophomore Crystal Ivery will also return. Feeney was the Spring 2021 Empire 8 Rookie of the Year and is a three-time All-E8 selection. Charisma Losee and Hannah Maxson are welcome additions to the 2023 team.
Hartwick
The Hawks return three student-athletes from last season's team. Sophomore Brynita Haas is back after recording a 29th place finish at the 2022 Empire 8 Championship. Junior Maddy Smith will also return after being the second Hawk to cross the finish line in last year's championship. Parker Jinkins is expected to make an impact during her debut season.
Keuka
Keuka will look to climb the ladder in the Empire 8 during the 2023 season. Senior Allison Reigle will continue to lead the Wolves after impressive 2021 and 2022 seasons. In 2021, she finished 29th overall at the E8 Championship. Senior Josie Kelley will also be looked at as a leader, while newcomers Laura Barrett, Jocelyn Holman and Abby Butler will step in and contribute right away.
Final 2022 Empire 8 Women's Cross Country Championship Results
St. John Fisher – 44 Points – League Champions
Nazareth – 55
Houghton – 59
Utica – 118
Alfred – 120
Russell Sage – 171
Hartwick – 197
Medaille – 217
Keuka – 230
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
