Newark, N.J. - On Saturday, the St. Thomas Aquinas Cross Country program battled both heavy rain and packed field of competitors from Divisions I, II and II in the NJIT Highlander Challenge at Branch Brook Park in Newark, NJ. The Women's squad took home a sixth place finish in the event, while the men's team posted an 18th place finish.
Zoe Merryman was the top STAC finisher on the day with a time of 19:09.4, taking 7th overall in the women's 5K race. Following Merryman in order of finish were: Ciara Durcan (19:42.8), Jacqueline Kelly (21:44.7), Isabella Esposito-Farino (22:00.5), Samantha Frisbee (22:50.7), Kristen Kennedy (22:59.9), Ciara Doyle (24:18.6), Nicole Gysin (25:34.7) and Veronica Valentik (25:53.2).
Meanwhile, James Polisena was the top Spartan finisher on the afternoon with a time of 28:06.7, placing 55th in the men's 8K event. Following Polisena in order of finish were: Nicholas Seitz (30:11.5), Alex Quillan (30:15.2), Kyle Koenig (31:01.8), Ian Forsyth (32:30.7) and John Ciuffo (32:56.8).
The Spartans will next compete at the St. Joseph's University Invitational on Saturday, October 14. The meet takes place at Sunken Meadow State Park in Kings Park, N.Y. and will begin at 11:00 a.m.