In what will likely be the largest race the College of Staten Island women’s cross-country team races in all season, the Dolphins came in 16th place at the NJIT Highlander Challenge, a 5k race held at Branch Brook Park in Newark, NJ.  The Dolphins competed in the race against junior college and NCAA Division II schools, and managed a third place finish amongst the Division III contingent.

Leading the way for CSI was senior Victoria Barry, placing 63rd overall with a mark of 22:30.32.  She was followed closely by freshman Kristina Morel, the reigning CUNYAC Rookie of the Week, who came in shortly after at 22:43.28, good for 72nd overall.  Rebecca Vidal raced in at 24:03.82, coming in 95th.

Rounding out the order for CSI was Clara Hernandez, who clocked in at 29:38.85, Carissa Mazzeo, who topped out at 29:57.26, and Natalie Sabalza, who came in at 30:32.50.

St. Thomas Aquinas came in first place overall with 42 points, winning easily over second place Suffolk Community College (107), and Monroe Community College (114).  CSI finished with 418 points.  Montclair State University and Baruch College were the two other Division III schools that finished ahead of them.  The Dolphins finished ahead of DIII brethren Medgar Evers College and NJ City University.

CSI will be back in action next Sunday at the CCNY Invitational at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, at 10am, for a 6k race.