POTSDAM - The Potsdam cross country, volleyball, swimming & diving and ice hockey teams competed this past week.

CROSS COUNTRY

The Bears competed at the SUNYAC Championships over the weekend with both teams finishing 10th. Freshman Hannah Groshner (Wayland, N.Y.) led the Bears for the championship, crossing the finish line in a time of 27:15.91. Freshman Olivia Rehm (Grahamsville, N.Y.) was the next runner to follow with a time of 28:25.84.

Freshman Sarah Howe (Ballston Lake, N.Y.) crossed the line at the 31:45.34 mark. Sophomore Rebbeca Dukett (Tupper Lake, N.Y.) recorded a time of 34:02.45 and junior Sara Behuniak (Latham, N.Y.) finished in 34:27.67. Sophomore Stephanie Hall (Carthage, N.Y.) rounded out the Potsdam finishers with a time of 38:53.81.

Sophomore Joseph Rafter (Fort Covington, N.Y.) paced the men’s team for the championship with a time of 31:20.26. Junior Dalijah Demand (Troy, N.Y.) followed, crossing the line in 32:08.56. Sophomore Jonathan Doane (Camden, N.Y.) and sophomore Adam Lang (Arkport, N.Y.) posted times of 34:28.58 and 35:08.23.

Freshman Zach Fanion (Cooperstown, N.Y.) and sophomore Brett Wunsch (Colonie, N.Y.) concluded the Potsdam top six with 35:48.05 and 36:39.20, respectively.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

The Potsdam Volleyball team hosted Clarkson University and traveled to the Oswego tri-match this past week. On Tuesday, the Bears recognized seniors Anne Fildes (Red Hook, N.Y.), Kayla Howard (Marcellus, N.Y.), Jill Dye (Middletown, N.Y.) and Erin Wagner (Rochester, N.Y.) for their contributions to the program.

Potsdam fell to the Golden Knights 3-1 and then swept the weekend with a

3-1 victory over St. John Fisher and a 3-0 win against Oswego. Howard led the Bears on the weekend with 22 kills, junior setter Jenna Blujus (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) totaled 57 assists, and Dye added 27 digs.

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

The women’s hockey team traveled to Rhode Island and Massachusetts to open the 2012-13 season. The Bears fell in overtime on Saturday to Salve Regina, 3-2. Freshman forwards Sarah Nelson (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) and Rachel Grefke (Livonia, Mich.) each recorded their first career goals in the loss. Potsdam then traveled to Holy Cross College on Sunday where they dropped a 6-2 decision. Grefke recorded another goal for the Bears and sophomore forward Izzy Fayerman (Calgary, Alberta) added her first goal of the season.

MEN’S HOCKEY

The men’s hockey team opened the season at their new home away from home, Massena Arena. The Bears won in exciting fashion on Friday evening as they downed St. Michael’s College 4-3 in overtime. Sophomore forward Zach Blake (Campbellford, Ontario) scored the overtime goal to give the Bears the victory. On Saturday, sophomore forward Trevor Cope (Swartz Creek, Mich. / Atlanta Jr. Knights) recorded a SUNYAC single game record six assists to lift the Bears to a 9-5 win over the Morrisville Mustangs. Junior forward Mike Arnold (Didsbury, Alberta) recorded four goals and an assist and senior forward Matt Viola (Toronto, Ontario) added two goals and four assists for the weekend.

SWIMMING AND DIVING

The Potsdam swimming and diving teams split their season opener against Skidmore College on Saturday. The men won 163-131 and the women fell 104-185. Three Bears led the men’s team on the day. Junior Richie Zimmerman (Victor, N.Y.) won the 200 free (1:52.89), 200 breaststroke (2:00.35), 200 IM (2:05.15) and was on the winning 200 medley relay (1:43.67). Freshman Tyler Zapisek (Syracuse, N.Y.) capture the victories in the 50 free (22.95), 100 butterfly (55.69) and was on the 200 medley relay team. Senior Alexander Taylor (Port Ewen, N.Y.) added wins in the 1000 free (10:42.41), 500 free (5:02.23), and 100 free (50.04). Junior Ghena Binzer (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) paced the women with wins in the 100 breaststroke (1:14.43), 200 breaststroke (2:44.26) and was a member of the winning 200 medley relay

(2:00.26) with teammates senior Paige Montroy (Cape Vincent, N.Y.), senior Liz Ringer (Queensbury, N.Y.), and freshman Jackie Cunningham (Voorheesville, N.Y.). Senior Kylie Barr (Ogdensburg, N.Y.) finished a close second in the 100 breaststroke (1:14.84) and the 200 breaststroke (2:45.26) to teammate, Binzer.

PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Junior Mike Arnold is the Bears’ male performer of the week. Arnold recorded four goals and an assist for the weekend. His play lifted the Bears to a 4-3 overtime win over St. Michael’s and a 9-5 victory against Morrisville.

Senior Kayla Howard (Marcellus, N.Y.) is the Bears’ female performer of the week. Howard recorded 31 kills and seven blocks for the week. Her play helped the Bears sweep the Oswego tri-match and has given the team momentum going into the SUNYAC tournament.

UPCOMING GAMES

The cross country teams compete on Saturday as they travel across town for the Clarkson Dual Meet.

The volleyball team returns to the court on Friday for the first round of the SUNYAC Championships against Oneonta State. First serve is set for noon.

The women’s hockey team is back in action Tues., Nov. 6 at Plattsburgh for their ECAC West opener. Game time is 7 p.m.

The men’s hockey team is back in action at Massena Arena next Saturday when they host the Plattsburgh State Cardinals.

The equestrian team is in action on Saturday as they return to SUNY Geneseo (Roleu Stables).

The swimming and diving teams return to the pool Saturday for their dual meet against Norwich University at 1 p.m.

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