Sept. 17, 2006

BRONX, NY - Sophomore Umar Saeed, an all-East performer in 2005, picked up where he left off in his first 2006 race, leading the field in the NJIT Classic from start to finish on the fabled Van Cortlandt Park course Sunday.

Saeed was the pacesetter for the Highlanders in their 4-0 sweep of the meet which was scored as a series of dual meets. NJIT notched wins over guests Fairleigh Dickinson, 21-35; Long Island University, 26-33; St. Francis of New York, 26-29; and Saint Peter's, 17-44.

Saeed, who did not run in the Highlanders' opening competition last week on Long Island, made his 2006 debut in grand fashion, covering the 8 k course at Van Cortlandt Park in 27:16.2. Steven McElligott of LIU was second (27:29.56).

Duc Tran (6th place) was the second Highlander to cross the finish line, at 28:58.53. Babatunde Busari (9th) finished at 29:22.59. Michael Genauer (14th) and Michael Gurlacz (15th) were less than three seconds apart, at 30:32.65 and 30:35.17, respectively. Captain Dave Kloc (19th) came in at 31:00.6 and Jamil Wilkins (26th) posted a 32:42.93.

Next up for the Highlanders is the Iona Meet of Champions back at Van Cortlandt Park course on Saturday, September 30.