HILBERT'S REINHOLZ, D'YOUVILLE'S BUTTAGGI TAKE FIRST PLACE AT MEGHAN MEMORIAL

The Hilbert College cross country programs hosted the 8th annual Meghan Memorial Invitational this morning and they welcomed the largest crowd to date in a rainy morning run.

As Meghan Sorbera's parents commented, today's wet weather was exactly the type of day Meghan enjoyed as a runner.

D'Youville College captured both the men's and women's team trophies with their 1st place finish ahead of Hilbert.  Medaille College trailed in both races but finished ahead of 1st time participant Villa Maria College.   

Hilbert senior Kylie Reinholz captured her third consecutive first place finish with her second fastest time in the annual race.  Reinholz was almost thirty-seconds faster than her teammate and second-place finisher, sophomore Megan Lee.  The pair of Hilbert runners finished in the one-two punch with 20:29 and 20:58 times, respectively.

D'Youville freshman Kathryn Piraino claimed the third place collegiate finish as she used a Spartan alumna (and 1st place Open Women's champ, Maria Fusco) to pace her around the course in 21:16. 

D'Youville (36 points) was six points ahead of Hilbert (42), and the Hawks snuck by Medaille (44) by a pair of points.

On the men's side, D'Youville junior Brain Buttaggi claimed the men's first place collegiate medal in 18:35, just steps ahead of Hilbert sophomore Adam Droz who clocked in at 18:42.  The bronze medal winner shifted back to the Spartan freshman Patrick Leslie (18:49) which helped them earn the team championship. 

D'Youville ran away with the championship with all five of their scoring runners finishing in the top 8.  The Spartans earned 23 points while Hilbert totaled 48 points for second place and Medaille trailed by 10 points for third place.

At the conclusion of the awards ceremony, the Hilbert Cross country program and the Sorbera family honors one Hilbert runner who displays the same determination and resilience in the pursuit of achievement that Meghan Sorbera did during her time at Hilbert College.  This year sophomore Adam Droz was recognized for his efforts and contributions to the program not only as a runner but as a teammate and leader.