Complete Results
 
NEWARK, NJ—The NJIT men's and women's cross country teams hosted its annual NJIT Classic Saturday at Branch Brook Park.
 
The NJIT men defeated visiting Saint Peter's 15-50 while the NJIT women came out on top against the Peacocks with a score of 24-33.
 
Sophomore Zakaria Fouad captured the title finishing the 8k course with a time of 26:06 followed by classmate Blake Brancato two seconds later at 26:08.  The duo completed the course over a minute faster than last season.
 
Junior Kevin Ratigan was the third finisher for the Highlanders Saturday clocking in at 27:04, 14 seconds faster than his time in 2013.
 
Captain Lucas Lamb ran a personal best by almost 85 seconds, completing the course at 29:00.
 
"The men are coming along very nicely but still need to work closing the pack", head coach Al Alonso commented after the meet.
 
Co-captain Maryam Haque was the top finisher for the NJIT women, clocking in with a time of 20:20.05.  Haque, who finished first against Saint Peter's, finished sixth overall.
 
Senior co-captain Alexandra Arnold, freshman Katy Nyby and Kelli Hesse ran in a tight pack with only 10 seconds separating them.  Arnold finished with a time of 21:47.03, Nyby at 21:52.90 and Hesse at 21:57.88.
 
Esther Alfaro was the fifth NJIT runner to cross the finish line with a time of 22:45.62.
 
Freshmen Kimberly DeLuca and Mary Henshaw made their collegiate debut for the Highlanders.
 
"We had some individual improvements but still need to work on becoming more consistent", Alonso added.
 
NJIT will return to action on September 27 when the Highlanders compete at the Ted Owen Invitational hosted by Central Connecticut State.