By Kevin McGranahan

The winners of the 2005 Bengal 5K were… Jed Christiansen with a time of 15:28 and Jacy Christiansen, time of 19:18. The whole Christiansen family, Joshua and Marcia, the parents; Jed, Job, Jake, Jesi, Jacy, Jill and Jeni, the kids, have ran in the 5K for the past five years, winning at least two age groups each year; and Jed was first overall male the past three years.

• 2001 Jacy, Jed and Jesi won their age groups
• 2002 Jacy, Jed, Jesi and Job all won their age groups
• 2003 Jacy, Jake and Jesi won their age groups and Jed won overall male
• 2004 Jed won overall male, Job and Joshua won their age groups
• 2005 Jed and Jacy won overall male and female and Job won his age group

The Bengal 5K is a run or fun walk held every year to raise money to award a student a scholarship and to just have a good time. The 5K raised a record amount of $4,000, which went into the Buffalo State College Alumni Association’s Legacy Scholarship, a scholarship awarded to a deserving Buffalo State College student who is the child or grandchild of a graduate of the college. The winner of the 2005 Buffalo State College Alumni Association’s Legacy Scholarship is… Julia Brunacini.

Over 350 participants showed up to run or walk in the 2005 Bengal 5K, which was March 19. This was the best year yet for the race, says director Jennifer Small.

“This year we had a record turn out of participants and raised a record amount of money, past years have not been this big. Maybe the article on the web and in the Record gave the race more publicity,” Small says.

Small also said it took her over two weeks to figure out all the winners and times.
The Christiansen’s and Brunacini were not the only award winners of the day, there were winners for each age group and top male/female student, faculty and alumni.

Winners were, with finishing time:
• top male alumni, Scott Simon (17:51)
• top female alumni, Jill Plaietgliu (23:45)
• top male faculty/staff, Andrew Garrity (18:40)
• top female faculty/staff, Susan Keller-Mathers (28:32)
• top male student, Jeff Sipos (17:21)
• top female student, Aleksandra Halter (20:05)
Winners in different age groups were:
• 14 and under, Zachary Ball (18:07) and Kristen Tangelder (23:48)
• 15-19, Andy Forma (16:01) and Sarah Mosser (20:04)
• 20-24, Paul Mesi (16:44) and Aleksandra Halter (20:05)
• 25-29, Michael Hann (17:59) and Maureen Hann (22:43)
• 30-34, Kevin Burke (16:47) and Lisa Moslow (23:26)
• 35-39, Chris Mattingly (16:53) and Amy Fakterowitz (19:32)
• 40-44, David Krueger (19:31) and Teresa Milbrand (22:38)
• 45-49, John Ryerson (19:05) and Annie Schuster (25:02)
• 50-54, Dave Ward (19:00) and Peggy Towers (21:54)
• 55-59, Paul Duttge (20:14) and Bridget Pawelczak (25:07)
• 60-64, Larry Lavoie (21:14) and Chin-Li Pompeo (35:11)
• 65-69, Patrick Delaney (23:09) and Edith Radice (29:31)
• 70 and over, Carl Pegals (24:09) and Edna Hyer (31:36)

Aj Caputa, a Fredonia college student and member of the track team, says it’s not all about winning.

“I didn’t run to win, I ran because I love to and it was something to do over spring break. I also wanted to show my support for colleges giving back to the students. I’m glad to help make this years race the best yet and I will be back next year,” Caputa says.

Not only did individuals take part in the 5K but also Buffalo State College groups got together and took advantage of the discount price for groups, the groups were:
• Chemistry Club
• National Society of Minorities in Hospitality
• Men’s Soccer
• Men’s and women’s track & field
• Student Ambassadors
• women’s hockey

For any information on the Bengal 5K contact Jennifer Small at smalljl@buffalostate.edu

Kevin McGranahan can be contacted at KevinMc48@aol.com.

Photo taken off Bengal 5K website