Alumni Represent @ Rockland County Race

December 13, 2003

Four Guilderland HS Alumni traveled south to participate in the 21st Annual Rockland County Alumni Race on November 29th. Despite not having a fifth runner to score as a team, the squad made a mild yet poignant impact on the race.

Jim Sweeney ('99) claimed the individual title, in a time of 15:40 for the three mile course. Sweeney is only the third non-local alumnus in the races history to win the race. Dan Smitas ('94), now living in Providence, RI, placed 13th overall in an impressive 16:35. Saint Rose Head Coach, Andy Rickert ('97), wound up 25th overall in a time of 17:23. Jeff Brooks ('96)rounded out the team by placing 78th.

Clarkstown North decisively took the team title for the third straight year with 51 points (going 3-7-12-14-15). Pearl River was second (108) and North Rockland third (137). Had the team competition been scored by the top four runners, Guilderland would have finished 7th overall behind Goshen (who was 4-5-8-85). The 1-3 gap of 1:43, for Guilderland, leaves something more to be desired. Surely there is a group of Guilderland Alumnus out there who could have made the competition a lot more interesting. This years squad is already plannning to return next year with a complete team to score officially.

Guilderland's appearance, has also made an impact on the race promoters, who hail from Clarkstown North ironically enough. Webmaster Jason Friedman is planning on putting a team of three together for the Guilderland Alumni Race this September!

Read a summary on the 2003 Rockland County Alumni Race, see photos and get complete results here!