Newark, N.J. - On Saturday, the St. Thomas Aquinas Cross Country program battled a packed field of hungry competitors from Divisions I, II and III in the NJIT Cross Country Invitational at Branch Brook Park in Newark, New Jersey. The men's squad took home a fifth place finish in the event, while the women's team posted an eighth place finish.
Ronaldo Rodriguez Perez was the top STAC finisher on the day with a time of 27:19.4, taking 19th overall in the men's 8K race. Following Rodriguez Perez in order of finish were: William Whitton (27:55.2), Pedro Mulero Martinez (27:57.5), Colin Graham (28:33.5), Kyle Koenig (29:20.1), Henry Mascia (32:03.7), Jude Petersen (32:32.6), Leonardo Rosas (33:16.1), Ian Forsyth (33:29.7), Daniel Fitzgerald (34:16.3) and Luke Skardinski (35:58.5).
Meanwhile, Gianna Mauri was the top Spartan finisher on the afternoon with a time of 20:59.6, placing 31st in the women's 5K event. Following Mauri in order of finish were: Sophonie Michel (21:05.3), Kristen Kennedy (21:53.5), Ciara Doyle (22:48.6), Abigail Dauterman (23:35.2) and Leilaah Gomez (33:39.6).
The Spartans will next host their annual Alumni Race on Saturday, October 18 (10:00 a.m.) at Tallman Mountain State Park in Sparkill, New York.