CLINTON, NY - The Oneonta men's cross-country team finished sixth at the Hamilton College Short Course XC Invitational on Saturday morning. Oneonta scored 148 points in the 5K race with one top-15 finisher in freshman Ryan Pepples (Binghamton, NY/Chenango Valley Central) and a team average time of 17:00.9. The host institution, Hamilton won the even with 21 points and an average team time of 15:54.2.

"A strong effort from a young group of men who continue to keep improving each week," said Associate Head Coach Meghann Tanner. "We're excited to see how they pan out in their first full length race at Rochester next weekend."

Pepples was the Red Dragons top finisher, placing 12th overall with a time of 16:17.6. Senior Chris Schimkus (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa) finished second for Oneonta, crossing the finish line 40th at 17:00.0, while freshman Thomas Cerna (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown) secured 45th overall as the team's third placer with a time of 17:08.3.

Sophomore Nicholas Petro finished 47th overall at 17:11.6, and sophomore Tyler Masiello (Pleasantville, NY/Westlake) rounded out the Red Dragons scoring five with a 55th placement at a time of 17:26.8. Sophomore Aidan Mann (Levittown, NY/General Douglas MacArthur) was sixth for Oneonta, finishing 65th at 17:50.6. Sophomore Garry Ryan (Queens, NY/Archbishop Molloy) took 77th overall at 18:12.9.

The Red Dragons will travel to Rochester to compete in the Yellowjacket Invitational on September 19th.