For the first time in its program's history, the State University of New York at New Paltz cross country team has more than one representative at the NCAA Division III national championship meet. The Hawks will feature three runners Saturday with seniors Emily Cavanagh, Matt Whitworth and junior Cassandra Williams all competing among nearly 80 teams and 800 individuals.

Cavanagh becomes the first SUNY New Paltz runner to compete in their second national race, as the senior qualified following a top-six standing at regionals. Cavanagh ultimately finished 84th at the NCAA Championships last year, which was held in Winneconne, WI, after finishing with a time of 22 minutes, 26.1 seconds. 

"Being here at nationals and seeing all the schools that have full teams here, I don't see why that can't be SUNY New Paltz," said Hawks coach Aislinn Ryan. "I am very proud of these three for being the leaders they are for this program. The attitude of the team has changed, and I want to keep that motivation that they are all feeling and direct it to a place where healthy growth happens."

With national experience under her belt, backed by an overall great season both on meet day and in training, Cavanagh will look to become the program's first All-American as she aims for a top-40 standing. Cavanagh currently holds the highest place at the national meet, as previous Hawks harriers Megan Reilly (2017) and Nichole Wischoff finished 110th and 103rd, respectively.

Williams joins Cavanagh in the women's 6K race after earning a 16th overall standing at the regional meet Nov. 16. Williams had just missed the cut last season and will run in her first NCAA race Saturday. Her fastest 6K time came early this season at the Connecticut College Invite, with a time of 22:38.6. She finished the conference meet fourth overall with a time of 23:15, while earning a time of 23:05.6 at Atlantic-Regionals.

Whitworth was the Hawks' clear No. 1 on the men's side all season long, and overcame a disappointing conference meet with a great race last weekend. He too placed 16th overall at a regional meet after clocking in at 25:42.9. Whitworth will make history Saturday regardless of the result, as he was the first male to qualify for nationals on the men's side for SUNY New Paltz, and will be the first man to run the 8K for the Hawks in program history.

"Cassandra and Matt both want top-100," Ryan said. "Cassandra wants to have a big PR. We think it would be possible for her to go under 22 [minutes] for the first time. Matt and I think he has the ability to break the 8K school record of 25:03 on a fast course like this. The course is a bit muddy and it will most likely be raining during his race, so we will see how the course runs tomorrow."

Spalding University, along with Louisville Sports Commission will serve as hosts for the NCAA Championships Saturday at E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park. The men's 8K race is slated to begin at 10:45 a.m., while the women's 6K is set to start at 11:45 a.m.

"All of these goals are the big goals, but all three of them having nothing to lose in taking risks and going for them," Ryan added. "Their season's are already successes no matter what happens. They all seem to have the right attitudes. They are going to seize this opportunity at their fittest, go for their highest goals and have fun soaking in this moment representing their team at nationals."

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