Olivia Watson won the 5,000-meters, and Olivia Bernier won the 10,000-meters to lead the Saints on day one of the Cortland Classic on Friday afternoon.

Bernier ran the entire 10 kilometers in a group of two with a runner from Oneonta. With one kilometer to go she moved into first place, and ran the final lap two-seconds quicker than her opponent to take first in 38:49.70, which is four minutes better than her time at the 2021 outdoor league championship meet. Kinsley Holl took fourth, finishing in 41:38.75.

Olivia Watson ran her first race since early December, and took the win in 19:22.50, 21 seconds faster than second place.

Emma Palumbo was the top division III runner in the 1,500-meters. A quintet of Syracuse runners took the top five spots, and she finished in 4:52.33. Alli Sibold was just behind her in seventh, and Leana Dickhens finished with a new personal best in 5:07.21 for ninth place.

Hayley Castagnier qualified for a pair of finals. In the 100-meter preliminary, she finished in eighth in 13.24 seconds to tie her personal best. In the 100-hurdle preliminary she finished fifth in 17.27 seconds, a career best.

Lucia D'Acchille will join her in the 100-hurdle finals. She took fourth in 16.66 seconds.

Olivia Middleton took third in the long jump. Her third jump of 5.03 meters was her best of the day. Laken Mooney took ninth with a 4.74-meter jump.

Kimberly Merchant finished third in the javelin, throwing the spear 29.13 meters. She also took seventh in the hammer, throwing it 42.56 meters.

Kathleen Merchant beat her by 10 centimeters in the hammer throw, she finished sixth with a 42.66 meter throw.

The Saints will be back for day two of the Cortland Classic, with events starting at 9 a.m.
 
Day 1 Top Performers
Castagnier – 100m prelims (13.24) 8^th, 100mH prelims (17.27) 5^th
Palumbo – 1500m (4:52.33) 6^th
Sibold – 1500m (4:58.70) 7^th
Dickhens – 1500m (5:07.21) 9^th
D'Acchille – 100mH prelims (16.66) 4^th
Watson – 5000m (19:22.50) 1^st
Bernier – 10000m (38:49.70) 1^st
Holl – 10000m (41.38.75) 4^th
Ka Merchant – Hammer (42.66) 6^th
Ki Merchant – Hammer (42.56) 7^th, Javelin (29.13) 3^rd
Middleton – Long Jump (5.03) 3^rd
Mooney – Long Jump (4.74) 9^th