The Tompkins Cortland Community College cross country team opened the 2021 season Saturday, taking part in the SUNY Cortland Short Course Invitational. Racing at Dwyer Park in Preble, the Panthers sent five runners, including the first two female runners in the history of the program. Elliott Holland (Watkins Glen/Watkins Glen H.S.) was the top male for the Panthers, running a 7:04 per mile pace and finishing the 6K course in a time of 26:19. Ariahna Metzler (Cincinnatus/Cincinnatus H.S.) was the top woman for Tompkins Cortland, covering the 4K course in in 21:21 (8:36 per mile). Both the men's and women's races were won by SUNY Cortland, followed by Oneonta State in second place. SUNY Oswego and Bryant and Stratton College also entered runners in the race.
In a men's field of 43 runner, Holland finished 36th. Dowain Geesey (Lansing/Lansing H.S.) was the second Panther to cross the finish line, posting a time of 30:16 and coming in 38th. Elijah Griep (Groton/Groton H.S.) was one place back with a time of 31:50.
Lila Stone (Groton/Groton H.S.) joined Metzler in toeing the line as the first Panthers women's runners. She finished with a time of 24:36.