Cross Country Participates in NJIT Highlander Challenge

NEWARK, N.J. — The St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) men's and women's cross country teams competed in the NJIT Highlander Challenge at Branch Brook Park on Saturday morning. The meet consisted of over 30 colleges, many of them being members of NCAA Division I or Division II. 

Leading the way for the women's squad was Alexis Buchanan (Murrieta, Calif./Murrieta), who finished the 5K course in 22:34.3, placing her 135th among 252 runners. The Golden State native missed her personal best in a 5K by just 12 seconds, a record which she set at the NJIT Halloween Classic last fall (22:22.63). Following her were Madison Erhardt at 24:43.9, Daniella Alva (Brooklyn, N.Y./Bishop Kearney) at 25:22.7, and Raquel Ramirez (Woodhaven, N.Y./St. Francis Prep) at 25:25.7.

Crossing the finish line first for the men's team was Christopher Tracy (Glendale, N.Y./Archbishop Molloy), clocking in at 31:15.9, good enough for 158th place in the 274 man 8K. The first-year runner trumped his previous record of 35:55.7 by over four minutes. Behind him were George Garyfallos (Brooklyn, N.Y./Xaverian) at 37:00.3, Michael Kowlessar (Jamaica, N.Y./Christ the King) at 38:57.3, Juan Sandoval (Ridgewood, N.Y./Christ the King) at 43:04.5, and Dnellio Bennett (Brooklyn, N.Y.) at 47:24.7 as the Bears took 31st place overall in the team competition.

Up Next

The Bears will travel to Center Valley, Pennsylvania, to participate in the Desales Invitational on Saturday, October 12. Women's race time is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., followed by the men's race at 11:20 a.m.