FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 16, 2000

MONMOUTH LADY HARRIERS DEFEND HOME COURSE, MEN FINISH SECOND

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Monmouth University’s women’s cross country team captured the team title at the Monmouth Invitational at Tatum Park in Middletown, N.J., on Saturday. The Hawks’ men’s team finished in second place.

For the women, it marked the first time in the six-year history of the event that the Hawks were able to successfully defend their home course. The women scored 30 points, finishing nine points ahead of Northeast Conference rival Sacred Heart who tallied 39 points. Rider finished in third place with 103 points, followed by Iona College, Siena College and Seton Hall.

Monmouth registered five runners in the top 10 to earn the victory. Tara Losito (Elmont, N.Y./Kellenburg Memorial) paced the Hawks, covering the 5,000-meter course in 19:40. Amala Merritt (Neptune, N.J./Neptune) placed fourth with a time of 19:43. Taryn Phelps (Skaneateles, N.Y./Skaneateles) and Lisa Flood (Red Bank, N.J./Middletown North) both finished in less than 20 minutes, finishing fifth and eighth, respectively with times of 19:47 and 19:58. Kim Wolozen (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill West) was clocked at 20:01 to finish in 10th place.

Sacred Heart’s Katherine Wrinkle won the women’s individual crown with a time of 19:33.

Seton Hall edged the Monmouth’s men’s harriers out 45-58. Rider finished third with 64 points and Iona tallied 65 to place fourth.

Sophomore Jason Santucci (Westminster, Md./Westminster) led the Hawks with a fourth-place showing. Santucci covered the five-mile course in 26:32. Freshman Brian Hoffman (Eatontown, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy) finished four seconds back and placed fifth. Freshman Nick Pellegrino (Morganville, N.J./Marlboro) was clocked at 26:58 to earn 11th place and Brad Bisinger (Southampton, N.J./Lenape) finished 12th in a time of 27:26.

WOMEN’S TEAM RESULTS: 1. MONMOUTH, 30; 2. Sacred Heart, 39; 3. Rider, 103; 4. Iona, 118; 5. Siena, 120; 6. Seton Hall, 133; 7. U.S. Millitary Prep, 192.

MONMOUTH WOMEN’S INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (71 runners): 3. Tara Losito, 19:40, 4. Amala Merritt, 19:43; 5. Taryn Phelps, 19:47; 8. Lisa Flood, 19:58; 10. Kim Wolozen, 20:04; 17. Maryanne Nicks,  20:40; 20. Marquita Hannibal, 20:48; 30. Jessica Pratt, 21:10; 48. La’Kel Chester, 22:45; 56. Nicole Froehlich, 23:27; 66. Laurie Harow, 24:26

MEN’S TEAM RESULTS: 1. Seton Hall, 45; 2. MONMOUTH, 58; 3. Rider, 64, 4. Iona, 65; 5. Sacred Heart, 137; 6. U.S. Military Prep, 176; 7. Siena, 191; 8. Middlesex County College 230.

MONMOUTH MEN’S INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (79 runners): 4. Jason Santucci, 26:32; 5. Brian Hoffman, 26:36, 11. Nick Pellegrino, 26:58; 12. Brad Bisinger, 2:26; 28. Joe Daniels, 28:15; 31. Paulo Oliveira, 28:34; 35. Nick Klastava, 28:51; 36. Curtis Akacki, 28:52; 45. Jason Rogerson, 30:04, 55. Justo Rodriguez, 30:41; 57. Justin Laurino, 30:51; 60. Mike Russo, 31:39; 68. Mike Sullivan, 33:40.