PLATTSBURGH, N.Y.—Two of the SUNY Potsdam cross country team's newest recruits, freshman Anthony Pelella (Highland Falls, N.Y./James I. O'Neill) and junior Brittany Englert (New York Mills, N.Y./ New York Mills), led the Bears at the SUNY Plattsburgh Pre-SUNYAC Invitational on Saturday.

Pelella paced Potsdam's men in the 8K with a personal best time of 28:35. Pelella started focusing on the race several days in advance.

"As an incoming freshman, I really wanted to show what I've got and what I can do," Pelella said. "I feel satisfied with what I've shown today and I'm really looking forward to the coming meets."

"Anthony was one of our top recruits who chose to attend Potsdam because of the cross country team, ROTC and rigorous Geology program," said Bears Head Coach Pete Cutler. "His quiet leadership has just been a fantastic addition to our team. As a freshman, in only his second race, to complete the 8k course is a very good beginning to what could become a special athletic career as a Bear."

Following Pelella for Potsdam was freshman John Weed (Valley Stream, N.Y./Valley Stream) with a time of 29:23.  Senior Kevin Johnson (Camden, N.Y./Camden) and sophomore Ben Shelton (Rochester, N.Y./ Irondequoit) finished with times of 30:08 and 30:50, respectively.  Sophomore Anthony Perri (Jericho, Vt./ Mount Mansfield Union) rounded out the Bears' leaders with a time of 31:52.8.

Englert led Potsdam's women with a time of 26:00, in the first 6k of her college career. 

"Brittany transferred from MVCC at the NJCAA level where she was part of a nationally ranked team," Cutler said. "It's always great when an athlete of her caliber chooses to transfer and compete for Potsdam and we look forward to seeing what she can do as a Bear."

Englert is very satisfied with her starting point, but her goals for the season are to drop over a minute off her time and "compete as an all-conference runner."

Senior Hannah Groshner (Wayland, N.Y./Wayland-Cohocton) finished next for the Bears with a time of 27:10. Freshman Marie Amell (Potsdam, N.Y./Potsdam) followed with a time of 27:54.  Sophomore Catherine Varriano (Staten Island, N.Y./Susan E. Wagner), and junior Miriam Cisse (Manhattan, N.Y./ A. Philip Randolph) completed the Bears' day, crossing the finish line in 28:42 and 30:38.

Come out and support our Potsdam runners on September 26, in Canton, where they will compete at the SLU Hoffman Invitational. Races kick off at 11:30am.