WATERFORD, Conn. – The Union College men's cross country team made its final competitive tuneups before the upcoming Liberty League Championships at Saturday's Connecticut College Invitational, held at Harkness Park.

The men's team was split into two races, with the Garnet Chargers taking 29th in the White race and placing 34th in the championship Blue race, which featured 12 nationally ranked teams.

First-year Cole Lewek was the first Garnet Charger to cross the finish line in the Blue race, clocking in with a time of 26:54.76 to place 194th individually. Senior Will Plante celebrated his Senior Day by finishing in 27:26.71 to rank second on the squad, followed next by junior Michael Fitzmaurice in 233rd place, finishing in 27:34.29. After him came a trio of Union runners that completed the 8K course within seven seconds of each other: junior Jackson Klehr (27:45.63), sophomore Liam Fitzgibbon (27:46.24) and junior Ben Pistiner (27:52.39).
 
The Garnet Chargers also had seven competitors take part in the White race. Junior Will Bonnette led the way for Union with a time of 27:15.93, followed by first-year Alex Colangelo in 27:34.44.
 
After taking next weekend off, Union will return to action at the Liberty League Championships, which will be held at St. Lawrence University's Hoffman Cross Country Course on Saturday, November 1.
 
Complete Union Results:
Cole Lewek – 26:54.76 (195th)
Will Plante – 27:26.71 (229th)
Michael Fitzmaurice – 27:34.29 (235th)
Jackson Klehr – 27:45.63 (242nd)
Liam Fitzgibbon – 27:46.24 (245th)
Ben Pistiner – 27:52.39 (250th)
 
Will Bonnette – 27:15.93 (112th)
Alex Colangelo – 27:34.44 (138th)
Tommy Lapham – 28:59.51 (264th)
Will Barry – 29:12.74 (274th)
Leo Cerrai – 29:14.77 (277th)
Liam Dougherty – 29:18.74 (281st)
Sacha Silvia – 29:19.19 (282nd)