Freshmen & Sophomores Lead Scarlet Knights at Monmouth X/C Kickoff

Monmouth Cross Country Freshmen & Sophomores

Freshmen & Sophomores Lead Scarlet Knights at Monmouth X/C Kickoff

Sep 01 | Women's Cross Country

Sophomore Olympia Martin Wins Freshman/Sophomore Race

LINCROFT, N.J. – The Rutgers women's cross country underclassmen opened up the 2018 season on a high note as the Scarlet Knights captured the Freshman/Sophomore team title with sophomore Olympia Martin leading the pack at the Monmouth Kickoff on Saturday at the 4K race at Thompson Park.

"The team had a solid competition," said head coach James Robinson. "This meet signified the end of cross country preseason and ushered in 2018. Of course we're very happy that our freshmen and sophomores emerged victorious to to begin their collegiate careers."

The Rutgers freshmen and sophomores together registered three top 10 placements led by Martin as the underclassman overall winner in a time of 14:47.7. The group of Scarlet Knight first and second years collected 41 points edging out host Monmouth by six points.

Returning Scarlet Knight Kiera Nealon was on the heels of her classmate with a second place showing in 14:48.5. Fellow sophomore Kaitlyn Bragen also finished in the top 10 with her seventh place performance with a time of 15:01.2.

Two freshmen also placed in the top 20 with Brooke Riedy taking 12^th place in 15:28.8 and Kayla Rosario logging a time of 15:56.9 for 20^th.

In the Junior/Senior race, the Scarlet Knights finished third overall led by junior Nadia Saponara with a fourth place time of 14:40.5.

Saponara had two other classmates join her with top 10 placements. Lou Mialhe took ninth place in 14:58.2 followed by Emma Bergan in the 10^th place in a time of 14:59.8.

Rutgers also saw junior Stephanie Mauer finish in 15^th in 15:19.2 and senior Genevieve Cickavage end the race in 18^th overall in 15:31.5.

The Rutgers women's cross country team returns to action next week at the Greeno/Dirsken 6K Invitational in Lincoln, Nebraska, site of the 2018 Big Ten Cross Country Championships.

Monmouth Kickoff Results

Women 4K Junior/Senior Results Team Results
1. St. Joseph's – 30
2. Monmouth – 45
3. Rutgers – 54
4. Centenary - 145

Rutgers Results
4. Nadia Saponara – 14:40.5
9. Lou Mialhe – 14:58.2
10. Emma Bergman – 14:59.8
15. Stephanie Mauer – 15:19.2
18. Genevieve Cickavage – 15:31.5
35. Kelsey Farbanish – 17:20.5

Women 4K Freshman/Sophomore Results
1. Rutgers – 41
2. Monmouth – 47
3. Seton Hall – 48
4. St. Joseph's – 76

Rutgers Results
1. Olympia Martin – 14:47.7
2. Kiera Nealon – 14:48.5
7. Kaitlyn Bragen – 15:01.2
12. Brooke Riedy – 15:28.8
20. Kayla Rosario – 15:56.9
21. Rachel Herrman – 15:57.3
22. Chloe Wong – 16:05.8
26. Sara Gutter – 16:11.0
28. Alexandra Marko – 16:14.4
35. Erin Bertscha – 16:36.9
51. Mackenzie Prezume – 18:38.0

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