XC Breaks Two Course Records at Stony Brook Invitational Season Opener

Stony Brook, N.Y. - The men's and women's cross country teams opened the season at the Stony Brook Invitational on Saturday against a field made entirely of Division I teams.  The women placed fifth with a score of 131 points as Quinnipiac won the meet with 37 points, followed by Stony Brook (45), Sacred Heart (53) and Manhattan College (109).

The women ran 4.1 kilometers and SJC's top finisher was sophomore Brittany Guttieri in 21st place with a time of 16:40.  She was followed closely by Caitlyn Ryan (22nd), AnnMarie Zigrosser (29th) and Lauren Waka (33rd).  All four women broke the existing school course record of 17:48 set by Elyse Patrella in 2008.  The ladies also combined with Sam Maurice (49th place) for a 17:09 5-person average that broke the record of 18:01 for this course also set in 2008.

The men ran 5.9 kilometers and were led by senior Brian Wersan who placed 13th in a time of 19:53.  Wersan was joined by fellow senior Jon Afanador (21:34, 35th place) in breaking the school record of 21:35 set by Eric Haun in 2008.  The men's team race was won by Stony Brook with 36 points, followed by Quinnipiac (44), Manhattan College (84), Sacred Heart (88) and St. Joseph's with 132 points.