Results

OAKDALE, NY—The NJIT men's and women's cross country teams opened the 2013 season at the St. John's-Hofstra Cross Country Fall Festival on the Oakdale campus of St. John's.

The NJIT men finished fourth and the NJIT women placed fifth in the Division I race of the inaugural 5k St. John's-Hofstra Cross Country Fall Festival.

"I was very pleased with our first meet of the season since the team is still adjusting to the volume of training", head coach Al Alonso stated. "With the loss of the top two runners on both sides, everyone will be expected to step up and tighten the top five-pack as the season progresses from the pre-camp phase of training to our competition phase of training." 

Captain Daniel Rondon placed third overall (second against Division I completion) with a time of 15:38.70.  Rondon finished seconds behind Manhattan Mikael Rojeras, who completed the course with a time of 15:35.60.

Moheb Thomas finished with a time of 16:08.40, placing 19^th while Scott Rizzo and Kevin Ratigan crossed the finish line 27^th and 28^th respectively for the Highlanders.

Newcomer Michael Do made his college debut placing 34^th with a time of 16:35.90 and Blake Brancato took 42nd at 16:43.50.

On the women's side, Breanne Hollenbach was the top finisher for the Highlanders placing fifth overall (second against Division I competition) with a time of 15:27.94.

Catherine Cohen took 21^st with a time of 16:27.62 as newcomer Kelli Hesse made her college debut taking 61^st with a time of 17:49.57 for NJIT.

Coach Alonso added, "I still expect much shuffling in the top 7 spots as we continue to adapt and move up to the normal racing distances."

The Highlanders will return to action on Saturday hosting the NJIT Classic at Branch Brook Park.