Empire 8 Release

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Following the conclusion of the 2019 women's cross country season, Elmira College's Claire Preisch '21 was honored by the Empire 8 Conference with a spot on the E8 Sportswoman of the Year team.

Preisch captained the Soaring Eagles in her third year and turned in another fine season for the Purple and Gold. The Milton, Pennsylvania, native was instrumental in helping EC secure five consecutive top-four finishes during the heart of the season. One of Preisch's best performances came at the 6,000-meter Lancaster Bible College Charger Invitational, where she turned in a time of 27:13.9 to finish sixth overall and earn the team a second-place finish.

As the season wore on, Preisch proved her mettle once again at the Cross Country Only Conference (CCOC) Championships. The junior finished the 6K event in 28:03.6, which helped lead Elmira to third place, its highest finish at the annual event in program history.

As a member of the Empire 8 Sportswoman of the Year Team, Preisch was recognized for "Competing with Honor and Integrity," which the conference emphasizes as an essential component of a student-athlete's experience in conjunction with an institution's educational mission.

Empire 8 All-Conference & Major Award Winners
Runner of the Year: Kaitlyn Stinson, Gr., Utica
Rookie of the Year: Riley Corey, Fr., St. John Fisher
Coach of the Year: Patrick Hager, Houghton
 
Empire 8 First Team
Emily Blosdale, Sr., Houghton
Amanda Burrichter, Fr., Houghton
Shelby Langlois, Sr., Houghton
Deidre Brett, Jr., Nazareth
Erin Reyner, So., Nazareth
Kerry Flower, So., Sage
Riley Corey, Fr., St. John Fisher
Gabriella Dunkelberg, Sr., St. John Fisher
Taylor Kennard, Sr., St. John Fisher
Kaitlyn Stinson, Gr., Utica
 
Empire 8 Second Team
Anna Hardiman, Sr., Houghton
Shannon Pigott, Jr., Houghton
Kelly Artini, Jr., Nazareth
Claire Bargabos, So., Nazareth
Kristin McAlonen, So., Sage
Alivia Collins, So., St. John Fisher
Grace Cummings, Fr., St. John Fisher
Morgan Gould, So., St. John Fisher
Kristin Daino, Jr., Utica
Jessica Ostrowski, Jr., Utica
 
Empire 8 Sportswoman of the Year
Morgan Brothers, Jr., Alfred
Claire Preisch, Jr., Elmira
Abby Meltzer, Sr., Hartwick
Shannon Pigott, Sr., Houghton
Erin Reyner, So., Nazareth
Amanda Jones, Jr., Sage
Alivia Collins, So., St. John Fisher
Sarinna Cannavo, Sr., Utica