ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Russell Sage College Cross Country competed in the Empire 8 Conference Championships, hosted by St. John Fisher, on Saturday morning.

Senior Charisma Losee (Troy, NY/Lansingburgh) was the top finisher for RSC in the Women's 6k, finishing with a time of 28:36.6. Freshman Sydney Elmendorf (Walton, NY/Franklin Central) and freshman Aniya-Jade Bailey (Troy, NY/Tamarac) also finished in the top 100 of competitors with times of 30:26.4 and 31:41.1 respectively.

On the men's side, Freshman Christopher Whalen (Arlington, VT/Arlington Memorial), who set a new program standard in the 5k last week at the Hamilton Tune-up, continued his strong rookie campaign with a 52nd overall finish and a time of 29:24.9. Senior Chris Pellegrini (Loudonville, NY/Colonie Central) completed the 8k in 32:35.8, while senior Jacob Haynes (Cambridge, NY/Cambridge Central) crossed the finish line in 33:33.9.

RSC finished tenth overall on the men's side and ran incomplete on the women's.

The Gators return to action on November 15th at the NCAA Championships.

Gator Bites with Papa John's: RSC freshman Christopher Whalen (Arlington, VT/Arlington Memorial) was chosen the Empire 8 Conference Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week for the period ending Sunday, September 7…The rookie won the ACPHS Orchard Opener on Saturday, September 6.