Cross Country Teams Sweep NJIT Highlander XC Challenge

Saturday, October 7

Newark, NJ

Army West Point

Highlander Invitational

Cross Country Teams Sweep NJIT Highlander XC Challenge

October 07, 2023 | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country

BRANCH BROOK PARK, N.J. – The Army West Point Cross Country teams swept the NJIT Highlander XC Challenge on Saturday afternoon.

The women's team dominated with a score of 18. Sophia Sandy won the event (18:01.3), Katherine Merritt came in second (18:24.7), Abigail Garner followed behind her (18:35.6), and Kamryn Wingfield (18.42.4) came in fourth.

Erika Nyberg rounded out the top 10 performers for the Black Knights coming in eighth place (19:10.0)

The men also coasted to a victory with a score of 57. Mitchell Burr won the race with a time of 25:03.7. Elijah Sullivan came in eighth (26:05.2), Michael Alvarez was eight seconds behind in 13th place (26:13.6). Harrison Lavery (26:25.7) and Alexander Quackenbush (26:33.6) came in 17th and 18th place.

The Black Knights now shift their focus to Navy. The race will be Saturday, Oct. 14 at the West Point Golf Course at 10:30 am.

COACHES CORNER

Mike Smith of the women:

"We added this meet to our schedule to give some of our developmental runners an additional opportunity to compete. The torrential rain started right after the gun went off for the women so it was pretty soggy out there. Our team of five went right to the front and controlled the race. It was a good effort and Sophia ended up pulling away for a commanding win. I was happy to see our plebe women run with such confidence."

Mike Smith on the men:

"We wanted to give some of our developing younger guys an additional chance to race and the meet today in Newark was a good opportunity for that. The weather was a bit challenging with the volume of rain during the day but the course held up well and the guys ran strong races. Mitchell wanted to get a good tune up before the championship races coming up so we let him go out there and get a good effort in. He controlled the tempo of the race and won easily. The young guys were excited to contribute to the team win so it was a productive day."