The Fairleigh Dickinson University men's and women's cross country teams had a strong showing at the NJIT Cross Country Classic on Sunday, Sept. 20.
Junior Megan Patterson (Freehold, NJ/Freehold Boro) led the Knights with her first career win, covering the 6km (4.2miles) course in 25:24.8. Patterson out-sprinted teammate Lena Kraus (Darmstadt, germany/Georg-Bueschner-Scholey) who completed the course in 25:25.0 earning her a second place finish. Rounding out the field was sophomore Christine Taylor (Bronx, NY/Washington Irivng) who placed 24th in 28:45.9, and freshmen Tara Kinnaugh (29:43.1) and Alyssa Adler (Fort Lee, NJ/Fort Lee) (31:06.0).
In the team competition the Knights defeated NJIT (26-29) and St. Peters (27-28), but were overcome by Hofstra (25-36) and Sienna (25-36).
On the men's side, freshman Robert Cherkis (East Northport, NY/St. Anthony's) garnered his highest finish of the season placing third for the Knights with a season and personal best of 28:11.2. Freshman Kimutai Bett (Litein, Kenya/Chebisaas Boys) placed 13th in 29:39.4. Freshman Nico Stabile (30:17.5) and freshman Jonathan Chelimo (Kabarnet, Kenya/Western) (31:08.0) finished 21st and 22nd respectively. Joe Quiroz finished 36th.
Hofstra (23-32), Sienna (27-30), and NJIT (40-19) edged the Knights, while they overtook St. Peters 22-33.
"I feel it was a competitive day for both of our teams" said the Head Coach Sharlene Milwood-Lee, " We are a young team and it is difficult to race back to back days and be competitive, our focus was not time, but to compete and that's what they did."
The Knights return to action October 9th were they will be heading back to Van Cortlandt Park for the Metropolitan Championships.
