ORLANDO--Buffalo State's cross country team got a taste of the big time today, competing against several powerful Division I opponents at the Walt Disney World Invitational. The men placed 24th of 41 teams, and the women were 33rd of 44.

Bryan Buchanan (Cicero/CNS) led the Bengals men, placing 79th, navigating the 8K course in 27:41. Ben Adams (Syracuse/Paul V. Moore) was 96th in 27:59.

Mararet Hughes (Elmira/Elmira Free Acad.) led the women once again, placing 103rd, running the 5K course in 20:22. Dee Smelser (Plattsburgh/Plattsburgh) was 140th in 20:52.

Buffalo State will next compete at the University of Rochester next Saturday.