FREDONIA, N.Y. – Senior Joe Gentsch (Staten Island, N.Y.) of the State University of New York at New Paltz men's cross country team was named the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week after his course-record-setting performance in the 6K at the Vassar Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 4, as announced Monday afternoon by the conference office.

Gentsch navigated the course in 19:50, overtaking Vassar College's Samuel Wagner down the home stretch to win the Vassar Invitational for the second time in as many years. The Staten Island, N.Y., native eclipsed Chris Wasnetsky's course record of 20:03, which he set in 2008 while representing the University of Scranton. Gentsch's performance helped key the Hawks' second-place result.

In 2009, Gentsch earned Second-Team All-SUNYAC honors following a 14th-place finish at the SUNYAC Championships.

The New Paltz cross country squads next compete on Saturday, Sept. 18, at the Bard Invitational. The meet is scheduled to commence at 11 a.m. in Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y.