CSI's Jackie Jamaleddine placed 28th overall in the field in the women's race

The College of Staten Island men’s and women’s cross-country programs were in action on Sunday, racing in the Queensborough Community College Invitational at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, New York.  CSI came in 10th overall and fifth among CUNYAC schools at the 8K meet, while the women places 11th overall (7th in CUNYAC) in their 5K event.

A strong unit of eight runners were on hand for the men’s team, with Andrew Pate turning in another stellar performance, topping all CSI runners by placing 6th overall and second among CUNYAC runners with a time of 30:07.  Two minutes and 40 seconds later, CSI’s Samuel Obisanya checked in, placing in 28th place.  Richard Ruggiero, normally a sprinter at Monsignor Farrell High School, saw his first collegiate race end with a time of 34:41, while Mike Wallace came in at 36:25. 

Rounding out the CSI ledger was Matt Pfaff’s time of 37:47 in his first race of the competitive year.  Following him were three runners who all improved their times from the Baruch College Invitational a week before.  Shawn Cybulska cut more than a minute and a half off of his time, coming in at 38:30.  Following him was Mike Allamby, whose time of 41:39 was 44 seconds better than his time last week.  Finally, Mike Gratkowski bettered his mark by 52 seconds, putting up a time of 41:48.

On the women’s side, the five runners took on a shorter, 5K, course on Sunday (rather than the 6K they ran a week ago at Baruch).  Victoria Barry led all CSI runners with a 25:06 showing, good for 22nd place in the field.  Shortly over a minute later, at 26:09, Jacqueline Jamaleddine crossed the line in 28th place.  Rounding out the squad was Kubra Shirazi’s 32:16, Ayet Odeh’s (34:57), and Sandra Battle (35:38).  The 11th place faring is the first official result for the Dolphins this season.