POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — Bard Cross Country began to put the pieces together in the last short-distance race of the season. Head Coach Brody Smith believes a lot more can come out of the team with confidence, but that the fitness of the team is in an unbelievable place compared to last year. With the rest of the year being all 6k/8k races, Bard dumps the training wheels at Vassar farms, but finds that running without restraint comes at a price.

The big story of the day is the return of 2025 Cross Country Athlete of the Year, top 50 Liberty League finisher, now in his final year at Bard, Elijah Flynn. Flynn was tasked with pacing out Colin Buttitta, Charlie Grenadier, Chris Eskrett, and Calvin Thomas through the first two miles, as his knee is still unproven on harder efforts. That group comes through the first mile around 5:20, but falls severely off pace, letting the field slip by them. 

Notably, Buttitta and Thomas crossed 600m in 1:50, with the lead pack, but ended up at 48th and 55th respectively. Buttitta holds on better, keeping Flynn close by to finish in 21:45.7. Flynn let loose in the final quarter mile, kicking home a 21:23.8 and 39th place. 
Just behind Buttitta are Eskrett and Grenadier, in 21:53.7 and 21:58.9, making up Bard's strong center at places 48-50. Johnny Henriquez maintains solid pacing through the forest at Vassar Farms, setting a personal best over 6k with 24:29.6, good for 69th place. 

Hameed Azad rounded out the men's side, crossing the line in 25:12.8 for 72th place. Grenadier shares his mixed feelings: "It was a great course, with great weather. I feel like we could've gone faster. In the future, we will hone in on positive-race engagement." Grenadier refers to the constant presence and re-focus necessary for a Cross Country race.

First-years Luca Foty and Ceili Irving continue to push the women's side further up the podium, placing 30th and 34th against a deeply competitive field today. Foty finds herself within sight of the lead pack for the majority of the race, running 21:14.9. Irving, within striking distance, crosses the line at 21:29.0. Adeline Kruk makes a big stride forward, smiling into 37th with a time of 21:57.2. 
Anna Shtandenko continues to race into shape, as she finds more of herself in between hills. She finished today in 49th place with a 22:56.0. Alex Laskowski goes through very even splits today to come in 54th, with a time of 23:57.2. Just behind her, Kai Roper cut ten seconds between the final two kilometers, finishing in 26:32.3. Madeline Clark rounded out the women's side with a 32:07.5 and 65th place. 

Bard placed 6th on both sides. On the way back, a shared sentiment of unclaimed potential. Head Coach Brody Smith shares his thoughts on the day: "Solid day. [We] struggled in some heat, but generally the team showed massive improvement from last year; a lot of promise, but it's early season so we have a lot to prove." Expectations are tempered despite the big leaps Bard XC is already seeing. Everyone knows there is more to be done. 
Bard Cross Country's next meet is September 26th at the RPI Fairgrounds Showdown with an 11 a.m. start time. 

WXC 6th out of 7
Luca Foty 21:14.9
Ceili Irving 21:29.0
Adeline Kruk 21:57.2
Anna Shtandenko 22:56.0
Alex Laskowski 23:57.2
Kai Roper 26:32.3
Madeline Clark 32:07.5

MXC 6th out of 7
Elijah Flynn 21:23.8
Colin Buttitta 21:45.7
Chris Eskrett 21:53.7
Charles Grenadier 21:58.9
Calvin Thomas 22:56.5
Johnny Henriquez 24:29.6 PR
Hameed Azad 25:12.8