BUFFALO, NY – The Buffalo State men's and women's cross country programs posted one of their best seasons in recent years with a lot of optimism heading into next year where they will look to jump another spot in the SUNYAC standings.
 
For the Bengal men, the fall brought one of their best seasons in the last decade. As a team, the men finished sixth at SUNYAC Championships; their best finish since they took fourth back in 2012. At the NCAA Regional Meet, the men took home 14^th overall which was also their best finish since 2012. From the beginning of the season until the regional meet, the Bengal men dropped an average of just over two minutes off their season best marks.
 
Individually, Noah Holden (Clarence Center, NY/Clarence) set the tone as the top Bengal finisher in each meet. Holden had a breakout freshman season for the Bengals earning Second Team All-SUNYAC honors following his 8^th place finish. He was the first male since 2002 to earn All-SUNYAC recognition in cross country. At the regional meet, Holden led the men yet again to a 46^th place finish out of nearly 200 runners.
 
On the women's side, the Bengals scored in every meet this year as they took ninth at SUNYAC Championships. At the regional meet, the women took 21^st overall, their highest finish at the regional meet since at least 2007. Overall, the women saw progress each meet dropping an average of three and a half minutes off their season best marks.
 
It was a huge step forward for the cross country program this season. As they continue their climb back to the top, 2024 was certainly a stride in the right direction.