Syracuse Cross Country Shines at the Paul Short Run: Highlights and Results

The Syracuse cross country teams are gearing up for a big event on Friday at the Paul Short Run, hosted by Lehigh University. This meet features both men’s and women’s races, with the Syracuse men tackling an 8k course and the women racing over 6k.

The schedule is set: the women’s race starts at 11 a.m., followed by the men’s at 2:45 p.m. You can follow live results here. The event will take place at the Goodman Campus XC Course in Bethlehem, PA, attracting a large field of competitors—150 men’s teams and 164 women’s teams—across several races. Syracuse will participate in the Gold Race for men and the Brown Race for women.

Here are the names to watch from Syracuse:

• Men’s Team: Omar Alsaidi, Eamon Burke, Asher Danielson, Sam Ricchiuti, Ruben Rojas Betanzos, and Drew Zundell.
• Women’s Team: Lauren Augustyn, Mackenzie Cook, Beatriz Fernandes, Grace Finnegan, Alycia Hart, Sarah Lawson, and Ella Masem.

In their last outing, the Syracuse men’s team finished sixth at the Gans Creek Classic, featuring strong competition from 24 ranked teams. The women landed 15th in a similarly competitive field.

Currently, the Syracuse men’s team has climbed to No. 11 in the USTFCCCA Poll, while the women’s team is just outside this ranking but is receiving votes.

Cross country running has gained popularity, especially among younger athletes. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, participation in high school cross country increased by over 6% between 2019 and 2021. This surge reflects a growing interest in team sports that emphasize endurance and strategy.

As the Syracuse teams prepare for this significant race, they join a larger trend in the sport. Athletes today are pushing the limits, focusing on nutrition, mental well-being, and innovative training methods. With so much at stake, all eyes will be on how these runners perform in the upcoming event.

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