The Hobart College cross country team finished eighth out of 18 teams at the ECAC Championship in Milton, N.Y., this afternoon. It's the Statesmen's best finish dating back to 1997.
 
First-year Josh Wasserman led Hobart for the seventh time this season. He completed the 8-kilometer course in 28:50.6. Classmate William Fletcher came in 37th place in 29:21.6. First-year Jesse Maltese clocked a time of 30:08.6 for 50th place. Junior Josh Owens was right behind him in 51st place with a time of 30:10.2. Junior Jeremiah Piersante finished 63rd in 31:01.0.
 
NYU took home the team title with 35 points. USMMA finished second with 62 points, and Stevens Institute of Technology placed third with 127 points. Castleton's Grandon Smith came in first place with a time of 27:07.6.
 
The Statesmen will be back in action on Nov. 12, when they compete in the NCAA Regional Championship in Sewell, N.J. The men's race is scheduled for noon.