Mighty Oaks Complete the Three-Peat

The ESF men's and women's cross-country teams successfully defended their 2021 and 2022 USCAA national cross-country titles on November 12, 2023. ESF becomes the only school is the history of the USCAA (all sports) to win 3 consecutive titles in the same sport, both genders. The men had 8 in the top 14 led by senior Sean Dristle (Elbridge, NY) who won the race in 27:26.5 on the very hilly 8k course. All 8 were placed on the first or second-team USCAA all-American team. 

Senior Savannah Kuhr (Clay, NY), won the individual title with a time of 23:44 on the hilly Penn State Fayette course. Kuhr ran away with the race from the start and was 70 seconds ahead of the 2nd place finisher, Yenilitza Roman from Johnson and Whales 

University (NC). 8 other ESF women runners rounded out the top 14, and were designated as first or second-team USCAA all-Americans. 

"You don't often hear about 3- peats in sports, they are rare. We were able to do it with both the men and women at the same school. That is even more rare. I have been incredibly lucky to coach runners at ESF over the last 7 years that buy into the system. This years team in particular were all dedicated and trained really smart all while managing a challenging academic course load. To say I am beyond proud would be an understatement. As we move to our next season, (track) in the winter and spring...we will certainly be thinking about a 4-peat next fall!"  -Head xc/track coach Mike Melfi 

Full results here.

https://live.gingerbreadtiming.com/meets/28858