Margie Kuchinski leads Spartan runners
Womens cross country runner Caitlin Ryan races against a runner from Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences on Sept. 13 at the Mountaineer Invitational.
Christopher Williams/Castleton Spartan
The Castleton women’s cross-country team is looking to leave their mark this year,
with a team full of returners and two new faces joining them on the journey.
Team members said they worked hard this summer and it is really starting to show.
“I think everyone sort of picked up where they left off last season,” senior Cassie Pinaire said.
This year the goal was to create a family within the team and Pinaire said they are doing it.
The Spartans have taken two freshmen into their “family” this season, Elizabeth Bassette and Ali Nelson. Bassette, who is from Woodstock, has already proven herself after being named the top finisher for the Spartans in two consecutive contests.
In the most recent race over the weekend at the Mountaineer Invitational, Bassette and Coach Melissa Crossman made a mutual agreement that it was in Bassette’s best interest to sit out of the race due to an injury. She will be taking it easy throughout the week and will back in action for the next race at UMASS-Dartmouth.
However, Sophomore Margie Kuchinski stepped up and earned the title of Spartan top finisher on Saturday after taking ninth place overall with a time of 23:51.
Not to far behind her was senior Shelly Audette, earning 10th place with her time of 24:01.
Only looking to move forward from here on out, the Spartans are prepared and really excited to be hosting the NAC Championship this year.
“We know the NAC is going to be really difficult this year, but it would be really cool to go out with a bang on home course,” she said.
After being on the team for four years, Pinaire is not looking for to its end.
“It’s going to be bittersweet to have my last race,” she said.
The Spartans will be in UMASS-Dartmouth for their next race this Saturday.
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