SUNY Broome’s Cross Country and Volleyball teams advance to national championships after big wins over the October 30th weekend. “We are so very proud of all our Hornet champions. Excellence both on the fields and courts and in the classroom are hallmarks of SUNY Broome and our Volleyball and Cross Country athletes are shining examples of that excellence.” said SUNY Broome President, Dr. Kevin Drumm.
Cross Country Earn Trip to NJCAA National Championship
The men’s cross country team finished in the top spot at the Region III XC Championship hosted by Finger Lakes CC on Saturday, October 30, 2021.
Broome runners took six out of the top ten spots earning All-Region honors in doing so. Leading the way was Conner Smith (29:10.7) followed by Jakob Getchell (29:20.4), Lucas Baker (29:22.5), Donnell Davis (29:26.3), Eric Repp (29:26.4) and James McDonald (29:27.4). Their times earned the runners 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th.
“We are absolutely thrilled to win the Region III XC Championship, and to be going to the NJCAA DIII National Tournament to represent SUNY Broome 
Community College. To have our men come across the line at #3, #4, #5, #6, #7 and #8 – to take six out of the ten spots was amazing!” said Head Coach Tom Carter, who was also named Region III Coach of the Year. This is Tom’s 40th year coaching at SUNY Broome and is the longest tenured coach in the SUNY system.
The women’s cross country team also placed two runners in the top ten with a 4th and 7th place finish at the Region III Championships. Claudia Chermak finished with a time of 24:14.2, good enough for the 4th spot and Kalia Brizzolara placed 7th with a time of 25:36.5 earning both runners a spot on the All-Region Team.
The Hornets will head to Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, GA on November 13th to compete in the National Championship.
Volleyball Sweeps Their Way To National Tournament
The women’s volleyball team defeated the Erie CC Kats in the Region III Championship B match in Sanborn, NY on October 31, 2021. In a straight set sweep, the Hornets beat out the Kats with set scores of 25-18, 25-23, and 25-20. During the match, Macey Gibson (Owego) led the offense with 10 kills, with a .307 hitting percentage, while Katherine Bennorth (Wanaque, NJ) added 8 kills. Mackenzie Struble (Owego) totaled 29 assists and 4 aces. Savannah Davis (Union-Endicott) led in digs with 17 and Sara Zepkowski (Owego) had 7 blocks.
On Saturday, Broome went 3-0 in Pool B play in the tournament hosted by Niagara County CC. During the first match of the day, Broome swept Adirondack CC with set scores of 25-11, 25-5, 25-16. Zepkowski led the offense with 8 kills and contributed 8 blocks. Gibson also added 7 kills and 4 aces, while Struble had 28 assists and led the Hornet’s defense with 13 digs.
The second match of the day was another sweep, this one against Finger Lakes CC with set scores of 25-20, 25-19, 25-15. Gibson led the Broome offense with 11 kills. Struble had 32 assists and 3 aces, Davis led with 18 digs, Zepkowski had 7 blocks.
Broome completed the trifecta in the last match of the day against Jefferson with set scores of 25-17, 25-15, 25-20. Gibson led the offense with 13 kills, while Melissa Carden (Vestal) added 9. Carden and Zepkowski each contributed 4 blocks, Struble had 37 assists and 4 aces, and Davis led the defense with 13 digs.
Prior to pool play on Saturday, Struble, Davis and Zepkowski were named to the All-Region team and Coach Ashleen Speen was named the Region III Coach of the Year. After Sunday’s championship matches Davis, Bennorth and Gibson were named to the All-tournament Team and Struble was named Tournament MVP.
Not only did the Hornets remain undefeated this year they did so in dominating fashion, dropping only three sets all year while winning forty five.
“The team and I were beyond excited for the opportunity to go to Regionals this season. These young ladies worked so hard to prepare for this past weekend, and came out with their undefeated record intact and a Region III Championship title. It is one of the best feelings in the world as a coach to see these student athletes hold up that plaque and relish in that moment. All the dedication and pride they have to be a SUNY Broome Hornet radiates from the smiles on their faces. We couldn’t be more thankful for all of the support we have received from the school and our community! These Hornets are ready to represent and make everyone more proud at Nationals in Rochester, Minnesota!” said Head Coach Ashleen Speen.
Broome will head to Rochester, MN for the 2021 NJCAA DIII Volleyball Championship at the Rochester Regional Sports Center, November 11-13.
Tags: Athletics
