XC Teams Top All Runners at 2012 SJC Invitational
Kings Park, N.Y. - St. Joseph's College men's and women's cross country teams each finished in first place at the 13th annual St. Joseph's Invitational held at Sunken Meadow Park. Both teams were ungracious hosts, winning their own meet - the women for the 5th straight year and the men repeating their 2011 victory.
WOMEN'S 5000 METERS - Results
MEN'S 5 MILES - Results
Region XV Only - Women's Results - Men's Results
The women scored 39 points to easily outpace their Skyline rivals, Mt. St. Mary with 90 points. None of the other 22 teams broke the 100-point barrier.
Senior Christine Cristobal (20:39) placed 4th in the 5000-meter race of 147 runners and broke the school record of 21:03 set by Brittany Carter in 2008.
AnnMarie Zigrosser (20:47) finished directly behind her teammate in 5th while also breaking the previous record. Gillian Goodwin (21:15) finished in 8th, Caitlyn Ryan (21:22) crossed the line in 10th and freshman Brittany Guttieri (21:46) rounded out the top five scorers with her 13th place finish.
St. Joseph's continued its domination with Maureen Quinn (14th – 21:55), Lauren Waka (15th – 22:08) and Mary Cipriano (18th – 22:17) all finishing in the top 20. The Lady Eagles placed eight runners in the top 20 while no other team had more than three.
The men won a much closer race, just edging Gloucester by three points - 58 to 61. Just like in the women's race, none of the other 22 teams scored under 100 points.
The men were led by senior Mike Lombardi who placed 2nd (28:51) in the 5-mile race with 155 finishers. St. Joseph's next two men also broke thirty minutes as Brian Wersan placed 9th (29:28) and Jon Afanador was 11th (29:33). The other two scorers for the men were Paul Milazzo (20th – 30:21) and Rich Schimmel (26th – 30:58).
Both teams travel to Chadwick Lake Park in Newburgh, N. Y. on Sunday, Oct. 28th attempting to win their third consecutive Skyline Championship. Both teams are favored, but expect close and exciting races.
