Francis covered the eight kilometers in 26:02.5, an average 5:15. Geneseo's Jason Tate was the race winner.
With Francis leading the way, the Blue Devils finished fifth out of 21 men's teams on the Roberts Wesleyan course.
Other Fredonia scorers were sophomore Ryan Dunning (Syracuse, N.Y./West Genesee), 29th in the scoring in 27:15.3; sophomore Noah Watkins (Cortland, N.Y./Cortland), 40th in 27:48.1; freshman Seth Fonda (Buffalo, N.Y./Cheektowaga), 48th in 28:05.4; and junior Aidan Pollard (Lindenhurst, N.Y./Lindenhurst), 51st in 28:07.7.
Displacement runners were freshmen Kyle Campbell (Niagara Falls, N.Y./Niagara Falls) and Jeremy Erman (East Meadow, N.Y./East Meadow).
"Ethan looked great," Fredonia Head Coach Tom Wilson said. "Dunning and Watkins both had personal-bests. We need to continue to work hard and stay healthy."
RESULTS
Seniors show the way for 6th-place Devils
A pair of seniors, Hannah Kurbs (Lockport, N.Y./Lockport) and Emily Maguire (Oakdale, N.Y./Connetquot), were Fredonia's top two finishers. Kurbs was 18th and Maguire 21st in the scoring with times of 19:19.5 and 19:22.6, respectively, for five kilometers. It was a personal-best for Maguire.
The next three finishers for the Blue Devils were senior Stephanie Wojnowski (Rochester, N.Y./Eastridge), 53rd in 20:23.8; freshman Natalie Hansen (Macedon, N.Y./Penfield), 59th in 20:32.6; and freshman Elena Davis (Rochester, N.Y./Irondequoit), 63rd in 20:40.1.
Displacement runners were freshman Morgan Ashton (Whitesboro, N.Y./Whitesboro) and sophomore Leesa Peterson(Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown East).
"Both teams ran very strong," Head Coach Tom Wilson said at the conclusion of the day, which included the men's race earlier in the morning (see separate story). "We are getting healthier and looking forward to Geneseo next week."
The Blue Devils are entered in the Mike Woods Invitational next Saturday.
RESULTS