The STAC Cross Country teams participated at the NJIT Highlander Invitational at Branch Brook Park in Newark, NJ. Personal records highlighted the day as both the men and women finished in 2nd place.
Junior Aida Torpey was the top finisher on the women's side. Her time of 19:14 was good for 6th place. Sophomore Abigaile Kimbrell set a personal record for the third week in a row finishing just four seconds and one place later in 19:18. Junior Rebecca MacLeod was next for the Spartans with an 8th place finish in 19:25. Junior Laura Herbes set a collegiate best mark of 20:04. Sophomore Kayla Cobelli crushed her former personal record clocking a 20:17 as the final scorer. Junior transfer Shannon Thompson and freshman Gabriella Mott also had strong performances finishing in 20:29 and 20:35. The women's team was 2nd in a field of 31 teams and 286 runners.
Sophomore Nick Martello led the men's team finishing in 29:28 and in 8th place overall. Junior Aidan Russell (26:41) and senior Ian Mirtile (26:46) both ran their collegiate best times. Junior Kyle Kondracki was the next finisher to cross the line in 27:19 which was also a personal record. James Dowd, also a junior clocked another PR in 27:21. Sophomore Matt Tina (27:29) was the final scorer for the Spartan men setting his own personal record as well. Freshman Kevin Bouyea also ran a great race finishng in 27:43 which is his best race to date. The men's team finished in 2nd place in a field of 31 teams and 306 parrticipants.
Next weekend the Sparans will host their annual Spartan Alumni Run at Tallman Mountain State Park.