Farmingdale, N.Y. - On Saturday afternoon, the St. Thomas Aquinas Cross Country program competed at the St. Joseph's University Golden Eagle Invitational. The women's squad finished second overall for a second consecutive week, while the men's team took fourth place in races contested at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, N.Y.
Zoe Merryman was the top STAC finisher on the day with a time of 19:34.0, winning the women's 5K race. Following Merryman in order of finish were: Ciara Durcan (20:14.6/5th Place), Isabella Farino-Esposito (21:35.9), Sophonie Michel (22:10.2), Emma Neil (22:18.4), Samantha Frisbee (24:04.6), Kristen Kennedy (24:33.1), Ciara Doyle (24:35.1) and Veronica Valentik (25:06.5).
Meanwhile, Kaleb Rayle was the top Spartan finisher on the afternoon with a time of 28:00.7, placing 18th in the men's 8K event. Following Rayle in order of finish were: James Polisena (28:15.9), Charlie Moore (28:55.9), Pedro Mulero Martinez (28:56.1), Colin Graham (29:08.8), John Ciuffo (31:05.2), Kyle Koenig (31:36.3), Luke Skardinski (37:54.7), Ian Forsyth (38:02.9).
The Spartans next compete at the Shenandoah University Hornet Harrier Invitational & Commonwealth Challenge on Saturday, September 28 (9:00 a.m.) at Kernstown Battlefield in Winchester, Virginia.