(Canton, N.Y.)- The SUNY Canton men's cross country team dominated the Sunrise Conference championship meet on Saturday in Canton. The Roos, led by overall winner Jusitn Richardson (Pavilion, N.Y.), captured four of the top seven spots to claim their first ever team championship.

Richardson shattered the course record at SUNY Canton by 45 seconds as he finished the 8K race in a time of 28:43 in a steady downpour. Richardson was named the conference Runner of the Year, made the all-conference team and qualified for the NAIA national meet on Nov. 20 in Vancouver, Wash.

"Justin has a terrific work ethic and it showed today," said head coach John Kennedy, who also took home some individual accolades after being named Coach of the Year. "Justin has been one of our top runners all year and he just had a fantastic race today. I was very happy for him."

Richardson won't be traveling to Washington alone as teammate and freshman Jonathan Flint (Queensbury, N.Y.) also qualifed for the national meet with a third place finish on Saturday. The top three finishers advance to nationals. Flint, who has battled a nagging injury all season, recorded a time of 29:59 and was named the Rookie of the Year and joined Richardson on the all-conference team.

Freshmen Dylan Barringer (Walkill, N.Y.) and Gregory Ashe (Watertown, N.Y.) also made the all-conference team finishing fifth and sixth respectively. Barringer posted a time of 31:16 and Ashe 31:44.

Graham Stone (Norwood, N.Y.) came in eighth overall in a time of 32:19 and Joel Landry (Malone, N.Y.) (32:52) and Scott Jeffers (Livonia, N.Y.) (33:05) rounded out the top 10 in ninth and tenth place respectively to help the Roos win the team title.

SUNY Canton Men's Cross Country Team

"This championship was the result of a very good training year by a dedicated group of runners," said Kennedy. "I think the fan support we had today was a huge help. I really appreciate the other teams that came out to cheer for us and all the support from residence life, the college association and student activites."

A large group of students braved the weather, donned face paint and rang cow bells throughout the course and at the finish line for the Roos.

Justin Fereshetian of the University of Maine at Presque Isle finished in second place in a time of 29:24 to qualify for the national meet. The University of Maine at Machias came in second as a team and Presque Isle third.