Oct. 27, 2007

RANCHO VIEJO, TX - Senior Matthew Magnifico led the way for NJIT, as the Highlanders competed in the Independent Division I women's cross country championship race hosted by Texas-Pan American on Monte Cristo Golf Course Saturday morning.

Magnifico placed 20th on the 8k course at 27:53.21 to head the NJIT finishers.

Freshman Stefan Montalvo and senior Duc Tran placed were 23rd and 24th, respectively, as Montalvo finished at 28:19.01 and Tran had a time of 28:35.32. Sophomore Bryan Louvado was 26th (29:04.97).

Other finishers for NJIT were: Chadwick Munroe (28th; 29:16.26); Mark Givens (29th; 29:27.09); Michael Genauer (30th; 29:38.15); Jamil Wilkins (31st; 29:47.54); and, Brad Leonhardt (tie for 32nd; 29:54.99).

The field included teams from host Texas-Pan American, Utah Valley, Chicago State and Houston Baptist along with the Highlanders.

Luis Nava of host Texas-Pan American was the individual winner at 24:19.69, nearly 26 seconds behind second-place finished Chase Englestaed of Utah Valley (24:45.12). Englestaed was one of six Utah Valley runners to place in the top 10.

NJIT will host the annual Nick Russo Halloween Classic on November 4 in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx.