Newark, NJ — The Molloy University men's and women's cross country teams competed at the NJIT Invitational on Saturday at Branch Brook Park. The men's team finished 12th overall in the 8K with 375 points, while the women's team placed sixth in the 5K with 229 points.

Senior Peter Bagattine led the Lions in the men's 8K, finishing 25th overall with a time of 26:29.2. Freshman Kevin Fernandez followed in 71st at 27:56.4, improving on his previous season-best time of 29:00.8. Freshman Cristian Suazo placed 101st in 29:27.2, narrowly improving on his previous time of 29:27.5. Freshman Daniel Dziurka finished 109th in 29:38.8, improving on his previous best of 30:30.7. Junior Gabriel Adimoolah placed 119th in 30:17.4, followed by freshman Zion Granberry in 141st at 31:50.5. Freshman Satveer Thind finished 146th in 32:04.0, while freshman Fredi Castro placed 147th in 32:09.8. Sophomore Anthony Baldasano rounded out the Lions' finishers in 167th at 35:07.4.

Freshman Keira McLaughlin led the women's team in the 5K, finishing 42nd overall with a time of 19:52.0. Junior Carli Sheiffele followed in 43rd at 19:56.4, while sophomore Anelisa Fulgieri placed 48th in 20:08.8, recording a personal best. Graduate student Alaysia Cobb-Rountree finished 56th with a time of 20:27.1. Sophomore Melissa Joseph placed 71st in 20:55.0, recording a personal-best time and improving on her previous mark of 21:28.3. Freshman Olivia Grassi finished 80th in 21:17.4, followed by sophomore Kate Mejia in 86th at 21:38.5. Junior Sophia Michaels rounded out the Lions' finishers in 109th with a time of 22:35.0.

The Lions will return to action on Friday, October 23, at the Adelphi Short Course in Bethpage, NY.