NEWARK, NJ (Oct. 7, 2023) - On a rainy early afternoon, Georgian Court Cross Country took the "Challenge" part of NJIT Highlander Challenge seriously and responded in a big way. Both the men's and women's teams saw plenty of success in what was the Lions first race in three weeks.

The women's 5K kicked off the day. They were the first to deal with the rainy conditions. Georgian Court finished in 11th place overall in the field of 26 teams. They were sixth among 10 Division II teams and placed ahead of CACC members Dominican and Caldwell. 

Of the six Lions to compete, five set personal-bests at the 5K cross country distance. Amirah Beasley finished under 21 minutes for the first time running 20:58.03 and led the Lions with a 43rd place finish. Remi Reinhardt wasn't far behind running 21:23.50 and placed 55th. Brenna Sullivan was just a tick over 22 minutes at 22:01.94 which was still a personal-best for the sophomore.

Madalin Jones and Niya Barden finished seven seconds apart. Jones was 89th running 22:44.73 and Barden 92nd crossing in 22:51.83. Selma Cazimoska was the final competitor for the Lions. She ran 24:06.47 and finished in 114th place. 

Army West Point was the team champions finishing with 18 points. They had the first four finishers in the field of 220 runners. Sophia Sandy was the individual champion running 18:01.26.

The Lion men were unable to escape the rain as well. They got soaked during their 8K race which went off 45 minutes after the women's race. GCU took a third place finish among 29 teams. They were second among D2 teams and first among five CACC teams.

Alec Valle became the first Lion to run a sub-26 minute 8K since 2019. He finished in seventh place running 25:58.21. Xavier Seals was also in the top-10 placing ninth in 26:08.63. Both times were personal bests. Kyle Spector placed 14th running 26:19.57.

After the top three, Max Salgado-Vidal had a big day. The freshman ran five minutes faster than any other 8K race this season finishing in 27:38.16 and placed 41st. Ryan Pettrow and Joseph Jamolawicz finished back-to-back in 49th and 50th place. Pettrow ran 27:49.53 and Jamolawicz 27:51.49. Riley Keffer finished the top-seven for GCU running 28:17.48 for 59th place.

Dylan Navarro and Thomas Rosky rounded out the Lion runners. Navarro ran 28:52.59 for 65th place and Rosky 28:57.83 for 68th.

Like the women, Army West Point won the meet and had the individual champion. Mitchell Burr was tops in the field of 234 runners breaking the tape in 25:03.68.

Georgian Court races again next week in their final meet before the conference championship. The Lions will be at the Rowan Border Battle Saturday, Oct. 14 in Logan Township, NJ.