Montgomery, N.Y. - On Saturday, the St. Thomas Aquinas Cross Country program open its Fall 2024 campaign, taking to the race course in the annual Manhattan University Jasper Fall Invite at Twin Ponds on the Farm in Orange County. The Women's squad finished second overall, while the men's team placed third overall in the event.
Zoe Merryman was the top STAC finisher on the day with a time of 24:30.1 taking third overall in the women's 6K event. Following Merryman in order of finish were: Ciara Durcan (24:45.9 -fourth), Isabella Farino-Esposito (27:12.2), Sophonie Michel (27:53.5), Emma Neil (28:31.2), Ciara Doyle (30:41.0), Samantha Frisbee (30:52.5), Kristen Kennedy (31:19.5) and Veronica Valentik (31:43.1).
Meanwhile, James Polisena was the top Spartan finisher on the afternoon with a time of 29:00.7, placing 12th in the men's 8K race. Following Polisena in order of finish were: Pedro Mulero Martinez (29:30.4), Kaleb Rayle (29:43.5), Colin Graham (30:19.6), Charlie Moore (31:27.4), Kyle Koenig (32:08.0), John Ciuffo (32:28.1), Ian Forsyth (41:20.1) and Luke Skardinski (45:52.1).
The Spartans will next compete at the St. Joseph's University Golden Eagles Invitational on Saturday, September 21. The meet takes place at Bethpage State Park in Bethpage, N.Y. and get underway at 11:00 a.m.