Men Take First, Women Finish Second in First Annual Friends and Alumni Race
Sayville, NY| The St. Joseph's College (L.I.) men's and women's cross country teams finished first and second in their respective heats of the first annual Friends and Alumni Race hosted by the Golden Eagles at Broadway Park in Sayville, NY on Tuesday evening.
The race featured runners from Manhattanville, Suffolk County CC, Farmingdale, NYIT as well as a team of St. Joseph's alumni.
Junior Sarah Jerotich of NYIT claimed top individual honors in the women's 4,000 meter race, posting a time of 10:22.1, but it was Suffolk that claimed top team honors, scoring 40 points—two less than the Golden Eagles' total of 42.
Senior Samantha Maurice was the highest placing St. Joseph's runner, coming in at fifth with a time of 10:49.6. Senior Brittany Guttieri placed sixth with a time of 10:51.0.
Also cracking the top-10 was sophomore Erin MacDonell, who finished in 10:59.7, while seniors Katie Scharrenbroich (11:02.5) and Megan Lavery (11:03.1) placed just outside in 11th and 12th.
Suffolk's Christopher Swenson placed first with a time of 19:48.5 in the men's 6,000 meter heat. Swensen beat out SJC alumnus and current assistant coach Mike Lombardi, who finished second with a time of 19:54.9. Lombardi was a two-time All-Skyline Conference First Team honoree and a two-time Second Team member from 2009 to 2012.
Senior Michael LoSchiavo finished fifth with a time of 20:49.6 and was the highest placing member of the St. Joseph's squad. Junior Nick Diaz clocked in at 21:24.1, earning him a seventh place finish.
Sophomore Nick Morfesi (21:32.8) and freshman Ryan Haun (21:37.2) placed ninth and tenth and ensured the Golden Eagles claimed first place in their first meet of the season.
The SJC Alumni team, lead by Lombardi and Jon Afandor (21:13.1, sixth place) finish in second. NYIT, Farmingdale and Manhattanville filled out the men's field.
Both the men and women will return to action next weekend on Saturday, September 12 when they take part in the Saratoga Invitational at Saratoga State Park. The women get started at 1:00 PM and the men at 2:00 PM.
