Contact: David O Brian ([email protected])

VESTAL, N.Y. The Binghamton cross country teams begin their 2014 season with a home dual meet against Albany on Friday at 6 p.m. The women s 5K race will be followed by the men s 8K race. Both races will start and finish behind the East Gym.

After placing second at the America East meet last year, the men return six of their top 10 finishers from that meet. Junior Ethan Hausamann, who earned all-conference honors during the outdoor track season, was 17th as the cross country conference meet last year.

Seniors Jesse Garn, Matt Johnson and Ben Snodgrass as well as sophomore Eric Holt are among the other top returners on the men s side. Johnson placed a team-best 16th at the 2012 America East Championships. Garn and Snodgrass are coming off standout track seasons. Garn was named the Men s Most Outstanding Performer at the conference indoor meet while Snodgrass was the meet champion in the men s 5,000. Holt, meanwhile, was the runner up in the 1,500 at the America East Outdoor Track Championships.

The women, who are seeking to bounce back from a ninth-place finish at last year s America East Championships, are led by junior Alexis Hatcher. After placing 22nd at the conference meet, she went on to earn all-conference honors in the 3,000 steeplechase during the outdoor track campaign.

Fellow junior Lizzie Greiner as well as sophomores Alana MacDonald and Eileen O Hara are the other top returnees on the women s side. Freshman Allison Davis is the top newcomer.

This year s America East Championship meet will be held Nov. 1 at Maine. The NCAA Northeast Regional Meet takes place on Nov. 14 at Van Cortlandt Park.