Results 

NEWARK, NJ – The NJIT men's and women's cross country teams hosted the 7th Annual Highlander Invitational Sunday afternoon at Branch Brook Park.

Sophomore Ewelina Marut was the top finisher for NJIT in the 5k race for the women taking third with a time of (19:09.88) setting a new school-record which was previously held by teammate Amanda Hefferan while Brian Mendez was the top finisher on the men's side in the 8k race, also taking third with a time of (25:35.48). 

Freshman Catherine Cohen finished in the top 10 (8th, 19:50.55) setting a new freshman record while Megan Higgins and Kayla Howell finished side by side (22nd; 20:46.63 and 23rd; 20:50.78) for the Highlanders.

Newcomer Daniel Rondon placed in the top 10 for the Highlanders, taking seventh at (26:13.19).  Sophomore Ben Singelton added an 11th place (26:38.08) finish followed by Miguel Tlatelpa who finished 14th (27:08.91).

Brittany Hinton of College of St. Elizabeth was the overall winner on the women's side with a time of (18:59.14) and NYIT's Elphas Kimutai was the winner (25:26.57) on the men's side.

"Our team had many great performances Sunday with some having over two minute improvements", stated head coach Al Alonso.  Those athletes are Kayla Howell, Vanessa Escalera, Kelsey Jackson, Catherine Karnas, Kyle O'Brien, Ed Daly and Christian Barnard.

Notes: The 7th Annual Highlander Invite had the most team ever (22); the top 13 men and top 10 women broke into the "Top 25 All-Time" list; the top six men's teams and top four women's teams broke into the "Top 10 Lowest Team Average" with the NJIT men clinching the top spot (26:37.9) and women taking second (20:20.6).

Both teams return to action on Saturday at the Princeton Invitational.