Canisius track teams off to fast start

The Griffs could not have started their season any better, sweeping the Little Three Championship over Niagara and St. Bonaventure. Credit: Canisius Athletics via GoGriffs

By: Kate Wiggins

Canisius men and women’s cross country/track kicked off their season with a victory over rival schools Niagara and St. Bonaventure's in the Three Little Championship located in Youngstown, N.Y on Sept. 3.

Starting with the men’s team, senior Michael Peppey took the first-place title with a winning time of 15:40.52. Two Griffs came to follow in the top 10, including junior Tom Appenhiemer who placed third and junior Andrew Perreault who placed just behind in fourth. This contributed to the Griffs’ 15th Three Little Champion title in a row.

On the women’s end, senior Libby Benzer led the pack for a first-place title with the winning time of 19:25.21. Freshman Taylor Heschke came out with a fourth-place finish as her collegiate debut with a time of 19:53.89. Landing six top 10 finishes, the women’s team has claimed 17 Three Little titles in their last 19 attempts.

Coming back from a run to the MAAC Championship, the Golden Griffins will put in the time during practice and training, as well as running in competitive meets to put them back in the tournament this year. The next stop for the Cross Country team will be Sept. 17 as they head to South Bend, Indiana to compete in the National Catholic Championship for their second meet of the season.