By Taylor Nigrelli
Assistant Sports Editor
For the first time in the history of the Little Three Invitational, the men’s and women’s cross country team each finished in the top two. Both teams beat out Niagara but fell to Canisius in last Friday’s meet. The Bonnies next meet will be the National Catholic Championships at Notre Dame Sept. 14.
Canisius’ Chad Malloy was the overall winner of the men’s race with a time of 15:50.20 in the 5k while Niagara’s Kim Vona led the women with a time of 19:19.64.
Both teams improved on their finishes from last year as the women’s team finished within 13 points of Canisius (30-43) and the men’s team beat Niagara(17-43) after falling just short in 2011. St. Bonaventure hosted the race for the first time in three years, and according to Coach Bob Macfarlane the meet went according to plan.
“All the logistics went well,” Macfarlane said. “We heard a lot of compliments from the opposing team’s fans and parents.”
Sophomore Nick Masiello was the top finisher for the men’s team and fifth overall with a time of 16:33.10. Kady Weisner led the women’s squad finishing in 19:48.63 to place, third overall. Macfarlane said he was pleased with the team’s performance but believed it could have done better.
“On the men’s side, I was very happy with second,” Macfarlane said. “Canisius is a little bit ahead of us in the game. But I wanted to get first on the women’s side.”
The teams added 10 new runners this year including eight freshmen— four on each team. The four freshmen on the men’s team each placed in the top six for the Bonnies. On the women’s side, freshman Kerry Caher finished fourth overall with a time of 20:02.52. Macfarlane was pleased with the newcomer’s’ first race.
“Having four freshmen guys in our top six really bodes well for the season,” Macfarlane said. “And the freshman girls really stepped up, wow.”
Among the plethora of new runners, one person stands out. Kady Weisner, a junior transfer from Bucknell, caught the eye of coach Macfarlane some time ago.
“I’ve known Coach Macfarlane since about seventh grade,” Weisner said. “He used to coach at Bradford High School so I’d see him at meets all the time and we’d talk.”
When the time came to choose a college two years ago, Weisner chose to run cross country for Bucknell. However, early in her sophomore season she contracted mononucleosis and missed the entire 2011 campaign. It was at that point that she decided to transfer.
“I needed something more low-key,” Weisner said. “I needed a fresh start.”
Weisner said she chose St. Bonaventure because of her relationship with Coach Macfarlane.
“(Macfarlane’s) a positive person to be around and to run for,” Weisner said. “He believes in us and is so positive. He puts pressure on us in a good way.”
Friday, Weisner’s first race in over a year, led the Bonnies with a third place finish and time of 19:48.63. Macfarlane attributes Weisner’s success to her attention to detail.
“She does the little things,” Macfarlane said. “In practice, she takes each drill seriously. She pays attention to the placement of her arms, her hips; she keeps her toes up. She’s constantly looking at the little things to make a difference.”
Weisner’s meticulous preparations did not go unnoticed during Friday’s meet. Although it was nearly 90 degrees out, Weisner had no trouble with the heat.
“That goes back to taking care of the little things,” Macfarlane said. “You have to learn how to run in the heat. Kady came into camp prepared.”
Weisner attributed her success thus far to her attention to detail mindset.
“Stay focused, do all the little things right,” Weisner said. “Everything you do adds up and that’s what makes the difference. Not just for me, but for all of us.”
