LEWISTON, Maine -- The Bates cross country program hosted its 52nd annual Alumni Meet on Saturday, taking the opportunity to honor the late coach Al Fereshetian and Hannah Austin '19, in an emotional ceremony before the 5K race. 

With the Fereshetian and Austin families in attendance, head track and field coach Curtis Johnson, long-time Bates assistant cross country and track coach Todd Goewey, and head cross country coach Danny Feldman shared their memories of the two beloved members of the Bates community, who both passed away this year.

"This weekend transcends a fall day," Johnson said. "It's about many generations celebrating the impact of the Bates cross country and track and field community. And that's something to commend. So I want to thank everyone for taking the trip back to the Bates campus, coming back to Lewiston, and being able to share in this annual tradition with us." 

Goewey spoke about coach Fereshetian, who he first met when both of them coached at Appalachian State. 

"He was a guy that always kept in contact with his athletes," Goewey said. "And he always wanted to know, 'What are you doing these days? How are you doing?' If an athlete was struggling, he'd pull them in the office, 'How are you doing? What's going on in your life? What's troubling you?' But that was Coach Al, a very passionate man." 

Feldman, who became the cross country team's head coach in 2022, said that Austin was one of the first people to reach out to him when he got the job. 

"Hannah volunteered to join our workouts, help the coaching staff, and support the team," Feldman said. "I was unaware at the time that she was battling cancer, but was immediately struck with awe and admiration that she wanted to volunteer her time. Hannah may no longer be with us in body, but her spirit lives on in the memories we hold dear, in the stories we share and the impact she made on us. She taught us how special community and family are, to keep going even when things are hard, and to never lose sight of what truly matters in life." 
 

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After the ceremony, more than 70 Bobcats, past and present, ran a fun 5K around the Bates campus, with Ryan Smith '23 taking first place overall in 14:47, and the trio of current Bobcats Elizabeth Holcombe '26, Phoebe Pohl '25, and Isabelle Demeritt '25 pacing the women in 20:02. Lauren Fereshetian, daughter of Al, crossed the finish line in an impressive 20:04. Al's son, Justin Fereshetian, placed 15th overall with a time of 17:18. 

Earlier in the day, the Bobcats hosted the second annual Goodrich Memorial Throws competition, which is named in honor of the late Peter Goodrich '89. Eight Bobcats competed in both the weight throw and the shot put inside Merrill Gymnasium. Jacob Goff '24, who is continuing his collegiate throwing career as a graduate student at Division I program Bryant University this year, delivered big-time performances in both events.

The Bates cross country team opens its 2024 season this Saturday when they compete at the CBB Meet at Pickard Field Cross Country Course in Brunswick, Maine.