NEWARK, NJ (Oct. 12, 2024) - Georgian Court Cross Country had an outstanding day at Branch Brook Park for the 2024 NJIT Highlander Invitational. The men's team had another top-10 finish while the women continued their improvement.

Overall among 31 teams, the Lion men took ninth overall, ahead of three CACC teams, with 246 points. 

Nolan Kus was just outside the top-10 finishing 13th overall in 26:12.3. Ryan Pettrow was again second for the Lions in 29th place in 27:06.5 and Joe Jamolawicz ran 28:09.7 for 53rd place. All three are season-best times. 

Georgian Court's freshmen had a very successful afternoon. All four of them ran below 30 minutes for the 8K for the first time in their careers. Colin Broadbelt was in the top 100 in 82nd place running 29:12.2. Luke McCormick wasn't far behind in 29:39.9 for 94th place. Matthew Schuab ran 29:49.5 for 101st place and Zachary Spoonire finished in 29:54.3 for 106th place. 

Army West Point was the team champions with a team score of 34. Joey Datta from the CACC's Caldwell was the individual champ, running 25:00.1, to best the field of 246.

The women had an 18th place team finish among 31 teams and 219 runners. 

In just the second 5K of the season for the Lion women, Amirah Beasley paced the squad running 21:23.5 for a season-best time and 59th place finish. Madalin Jones also ran a season-best 23:22.8 for 103rd place. 

Samantha Lonseth shaved off nearly three minutes from her last 5K race, running 25:38.1 for 134th place. The Lions got a boost with the return of Jurnee Tuttle who missed the previous three races. In her first collegiate 5K, she ran 25:59.9 for 146th place. Kerry Ann Hohenshilt ran 26:40.4 for 153rd place. 

Army also had the team win on the women's side and the individual champion, Lindsay Cook, who ran 18:17.8.

Georgian Court has one final meet left before the CACC Championship race. They'll be at the Rowan Border Battle next Saturday, Oct. 19 in Logan Township, NJ.