The meet was well attended by over 400 runners, who competed on the new Rowan University cross country course. The majority of the competing schools were NCAA Division III colleges and universities from the mid-atlantic region. The Cougars were one of the six NJCAA junior colleges in the field. The women's race was contested at 6000 meters. This marked the first time all five freshmen lady Cougars have run the extended distance since competing at their familiar 5000 meter high school distance. The team earned a 12th place finish. Cumberland Regional HS, Sara Loew was the first junior college runner across the line in 59th place. She was followed by Triton Regional HS, Autumn Baldini, Collingswood HS, Betzabel A. Delos Santos Trinidad, Cherry Hill West HS, Emily Santana, and Highland Regional HS, Nicole Mattern. The men's 8000 meters (5 miles) also marked the first time for three of the Cougar men, to move up from their high school 5000 meter distance. Eastern Regional HS, Chris Townsend lead the way for the men's team and was the 6th junior college runner to finish with a time of 32:06 to place 159th. Cherry Hill West HS, (fr.) Luke Andrzejewski was next, followed by Winslow Regional HS, (fr.) Anthony Chase, Cherry Hill East HS, Alex Goodkind, and Collingswood HS (fr.) Alex Fernandez. The men's team finished in 20th place. The complete results can be found on nj.milesplit.com/results.
Next up for the Cougars will be the Osprey Open on Saturday September 22nd. The meet is hosted by Stockton University, the cross country course is located on Pomona Rd. in Galloway Twp. The women's 6k race starts at 10:00am, followed by the men's 8k at 10:45am.