NEWARK, DE -- Junior P.J. Meany won the men’s race to lead the Delaware men’s cross country team to a first place finish while the Blue Hen women placed second at the University of Delaware Invitational Saturday morning at White Clay Creek State Park.

The Blue Hen men’s team won the invitational with 25 points, finishing ahead of Millersville (51), Maryland-Eastern Shore (91), Howard (105), Coppin State (135), Temple (147), Delaware State (177), and Lincoln (199). Towson captured the women’s title with 38 points, ahead of Delaware (53), Howard (58), Millersville (95), Delaware State (137), Maryland-Eastern Shore (164), and Lincoln (182).

Meany covered the eight-kilometer race in 25:41.84 to capture the fifth race of his career and his third of the season. Alfred Singoei of UMES finished second in 25:53.17, while Anthony Littlejohn of Coppin State came in third in 26:50.79. Delaware’s Brad Dodson was fourth in 27:03.04, while teammates Kevin DuPrey finished fifth in 27:03.57 and Kyle Schmid placed sixth in 27:12.38.

Mike Ward was ninth for the Blue Hens in 27:34.88, while Sam MacKenzie finished 10th in 27:40.80. Tim Brock placed 22nd in 28:32.46, Matt Bryden was 24th in 28:40.64, Mike Roth came in 25th in 28:43.16, Alex Gambogi was 26th in 28:48.66, and Ricky Komdat finished 28th in 29:03.22.

The Delaware women were led by Julia Somers, who placed third in 23:32.40. Somers finished behind only Megan Lerch of Towson, who won the six-kilometer race in 23:13.59, and Britta Nelson of Towson, who was second in 23:25.49. Indira Garcia of Howard came in fourth in 24:16.44, while Delaware’s Jessica Leitsch was fifth in 24:21.13.

Liz Paul finished 10th for the Blue Hens in 24:46.55, while Toni Riggi placed 18th in 25:30.36 and Brooke Maguire came in 19th in 25:32.29. Renee Gresh finished 21st in 25:41.11, Allison Behrle was 27th in 26:08.03, and Lauren Shaub placed 29th in 26:10.78.

Both Delaware teams will be back in action on Saturday, October 29 when the Blue Hens compete in the Colonial Athletic Association Championships hosted by UNC Wilmington. The men’s meet will begin at 10 a.m. while the women’s meet will start at 11 a.m.

AGATE

Women’s Final Team Standings: 1. Towson - 38; 2. Delaware - 53; 3. Howard - 58; 4. Millersville - 95; 5. Delaware State - 137; 6. Maryland-Eastern Shore - 164; 7. Lincoln - 182.

Top 5 Finishers: 1. Megan Lerch (Towson), 23:13.59; 2. Britta Nelson (Towson), 23:25.49; 3. Julia Somers (Delaware), 23:32.40; 4. Indira Garcia (Howard), 24:16.44; 5. Jessica Leitsch (Delaware), 24:21.13.

Other Delaware Competitors: 10. Liz Paul, 24:46.55; 18. Toni Riggi, 25:30.36; 19. Brooke Maguire, 25:32.29; 21. Renee Gresh, 25:41.11; 27. Allison Behrle, 26:08.03; 29. Lauren Shaub, 26:10.78; 31. Sarah Vernon, 26:17.07; 33. Brenda Greene, 26:18.82; 34. Emily Bunker, 26:39.63; 35. Lindsay Schmiedel, 26:44.34; 39. Colleen Reid, 26:55.38; 41. Lindsay Norris, 27:25.58; 44. Christine Dierickx, 27:52.85; 45. Danielle Ward, 28:16.73

Meet Results