Woodland Park, N.J. - On Friday evening, the St. Thomas Aquinas Cross Country program competed in the Caldwell University Cougar Chase Invite at the Garret Mountain Reservation in New Jersey. Both squads finished first among the field of competitors participating in the respective men's and women's races.
Sophonie Michel was the top STAC finisher on the evening with a time of 23:30.1, placing third in the women's 5K race. Following Michel in order of finish were: Kristen Kennedy (24:52.1 - 6th), Abigail Dauterman (25:59.1 - 9th), Ciara Doyle (26:22.3 - 10th), Giana Mauri (33:47.5) and Leilaah Gomez (36:47.4).
Meanwhile, Ronaldo Rodriguez Perez was the top Spartan finisher on the day with a time of 29:45.9, taking second overall in the men's 8K event. Following Rodriguez Perez in order of finish were: Pedro Mulero Martinez (30:04.5 - 4th), William Whitton (30:59.8 - 5th), Colin Graham (31:48.7 - 9th), Kyle Koenig (32:02.2 - 10th), Jude Petersen (34:18.3), Henry Mascia (34:27.7), Daniel Fitzgerald (36:56.5), Leo Rosas (37:24.30), Luke Skardinski (39:51.2) and Larsen Sullivan (48:21.5).
The Spartans next compete at the Lehigh University Paul Short Run, which will be held on Friday, October 3 at the Goodman Campus Cross Country Course in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.