Winchester, Va. - On Saturday, the St. Thomas Aquinas Cross Country program continued its stellar 2024 season, competing at the Shenandoah University Hornet Harrier Invitational & Commonwealth Challenge. The women's squad finished second overall for a third straight meet, while the men's team took fourth place for a second consecutive week, in races contested at the historic Kernstown Battlefield.
Zoe Merryman was the top STAC finisher on the day with a time of 20:39.8, placing fourth overall in the women's 5K race. Following Merryman in order of finish were: Ciara Durcan (21:08.5/7th Place), Isabella Farino-Esposito (22:01.3), Sophonie Michel (23:36.4), Emma Neil (24:33.5), Samantha Frisbee (25:31.2), Ciara Doyle (26:03.5), Kristen Kennedy (26:12.4) and Veronica Valentik (27:03.2).
Meanwhile, James Polisena was the top Spartan finisher on the afternoon with a time of 30:17.9, placing 10th in the men's 8K event. Following Polisena in order of finish were: Pedro Mulero Martinez (30:34.0), Colin Graham (30:46.1), Kaleb Rayle (31:09.3), Charlie Moore (33:34.0), John Ciuffo (33:37.3) and Kyle Koenig (33:59.0).
Spartans Aalianne Gilbert and Danny Lu participated in the Women's and Men's Community 3K races, with Gilbert finishing sixth (19:30.6) and Lu placing eighth (12:23.3). In addition, Ian Forsyth competed in the Men's 6K, crossing the finish line in a time of 30:18.8.
The Spartans will next compete at the Lehigh University Paul Short Run on Saturday, October 5. The meet takes place at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. and gets underway at 9:30 a.m.