FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 9, 2000

MONMOUTH CROSS COUNTRY OPENS SEASON AT LAFAYETTE INVITATIONAL

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.  – Monmouth University’s men’s and women’s cross country teams opened the 2000 season at the Lafayette College Invitational on Saturday. The men finished fourth in a nine-team field and the women placed fifth in an 11-team pack.

Sophomore Jason Santucci paced the men’s squad. The Westminster, Md., native ran the five-mile course in 26:54 to finish in sixth place.

Freshmen Brian Hoffman and Nick Pellegrino were the next two Hawks across the finish line. Hoffman placed 10th with a time of 27:10. Pellegrino was clocked at 27:30 to finish in 13th.

Sophomore Kim Wolozen led the lady harriers with a 19th-place finish.  Amala Merritt finished 20th for the Hawks.

The cross country teams return to action Saturday, Sept. 16 as they host the 6th Annual Monmouth Invitational at Tatum Park in Middletown, N.J. Races are slate to begin at 10 a.m.

MEN’S RESULTS (5.0 Miles): 1. Seton Hall – 47; 2 (tie). College of New Jersey – 79; 2 (tie). Rider – 79; 4. MONMOUTH – 81; 5. Lafayette – 132; 6. Millersville – 146; 7. LaSalle –154; 8. Bloomsburg – 191; 9. East Stroudsburg – 232.

MONMOUTH MEN’S INDIVIDUAL RESULTS: 6. Jason Santucci – 26.54; 10. Brian Hoffman – 27:10; 13. Nick Pellegrino – 27:30; 21. Brad Bisinger – 27:53; 32. Joseph Daniels – 28:21; 56. Nick Klastava – 29:36; 75. Curtis Akacki – 30:36; 86. Mike Russo – 31:57; 87. Justin Laurino – 32:01; 89. Jason Rodriguez – 32:47.

WOMEN’S TEAM RESULTS (6 Kilometers): 1. Moravian – 40; 2. Penn – 45; 3. Millersville – 95; 4. College of New Jersey – 99; 5. MONMOUTH – 133; 6. Bloomsburg –164; 7. Lafayette – 167; 8. LaSalle – 219; 9. Rider – 252; 10. East Stroudsburg – 260; 11. Seton Hall – 286.

MONMOUTH WOMEN’S INDIVIDUAL RESULTS: 19. Kim Wolozen – 22:46; 20. Amala Merritt – 22:47; 24. Tara Losito – 23:03; 33. Taryn Phelps – 23:42; 37. Lisa Flood – 23:58; 53. Jessica Pratt – 24:28; 60. Maryanne Nicks – 24:46; 66. Marquita Hannibal – 24:55; 78. Kandace Leuallen – 25:23; 88. Melissa Saraiva – 26:26; 98. Nicole Froehlich – 27:41; 99. La’Kel Chester – 27:57; 106. Laurie Harow – 30:20.