ITHACA, N.Y. — On a picture-perfect September evening at the Moakley Course, the Cornell men's and women's cross country teams kicked off their 2025 campaign in commanding style, sweeping SUNY Cortland in the season opener on Friday, September 5. With temperatures hovering around 75 degrees, a light breeze in the air, and golden sunlight stretching across the course, the stage was set for an exciting start to the fall season — and the Big Red delivered.
The atmosphere was electric as the men's race got underway at 6:00 p.m., followed by the women at 6:30 p.m. Anticipation buzzed in the air, and the energy was palpable not just from fans, but from the athletes ready to lay the foundation for a strong season.
Before the horn sounded, Assistant Coach Kayla Evans shared her thoughts on the team's mindset heading into the night:
"Part of what's really exciting about an opener, especially a home opener, is getting to work together as a unit and really get a feel for what everyone's strengths are when it's race time. Excited to put the first years through their paces and get a taste of what it feels like to race at the collegiate level and execute that well."
And execute they did. Both squads turned in perfect team scores of 15 points, sweeping the top five places in their respective races and leaving no doubt about their depth, fitness, and cohesion.
Men's Race Recap: Total Team Effort Leads to Clean Sweep
Cornell dominated from the gun, placing 1 2 3 4 5 to secure a flawless team score of 15, compared to Cortland's 50. The men's squad showed not just talent, but unity, running in a tight pack that exemplified their preseason training and tactical planning.
Junior Pierre Attiogbe led the charge with a statement performance, clocking a time of 15:28.1 despite an intentional delayed start of several seconds after the horn. His ability to catch the pack and surge to the front speaks volumes about the poise and power he brings into this season.
Following closely behind in a thrilling pack finish were:
From veteran leadership to an impressive debut by Mandirola, the Big Red men showed they're not just fast, they're deep.
Women's Race Recap: A Commanding Performance From Start to Finish
The women's team mirrored the men's dominance, also finishing 1 2 3 4 5 to post a perfect score of 15. SUNY Cortland again placed 8 through 12 for a final score of 50.
Senior Mairead Clas ran a smooth and confident race, clocking 18:29.7 to take the individual win. She looked composed throughout and set the tone for what promises to be a standout senior season.
Right behind her was a powerful group of underclassmen making big statements:
With such a tight spread among the top five, the women's team demonstrated a cohesiveness and depth that will serve them well in tougher meets ahead.
Looking Ahead
If Friday night was any indication, Cornell Cross Country is a force to be reckoned with this fall. With both teams showcasing dominance from their front-runners to their fifth scorers, the Big Red has both the talent and tactical precision to contend on a national level.
Their next test comes at the Paul Short Invitational in Bethlehem, PA on Friday, October 3 at 9 a.m., where they'll toe the line against some of the top programs in the region and beyond.
For now, though, the Big Red can savor a season opener well run and well won.
