NEWARK, N.J. – Racing in their penultimate race of the 2021 regular season, the Pace University men's and women's cross country teams competed in the NJIT Highlander XC Challenge on Saturday in Newark, N.J.

Women's Results (9^th Place, 5K)
For the second straight meet, senior Juliet Rich (New York, N.Y./Trevor Day School) led the way for Pace. The New York, N.Y. native registered a 5K time of 20:37.83 to finish in 50^th place.

Senior Heaven Swan (Wingdale, N.Y./Dover), junior Marina Lopez (East Syracuse, N.Y./East Syracuse Minoa) and senior Crystal Raines (Roosevelt, N.J./Hightstown) finished as Pace's 2-4 finishers. Swan posted a time of 21:18.25 (68^th-place), while Marina Lopez (East Syracuse, N.Y./East Syracuse Minoa) and Crystal Raines (Roosevelt, N.J./Hightstown) posted respective marks of 21:45.24 (81^st-place) and 22:03.44 (85^th-place).

Freshman Meryl Mizell (Round Rock, Texas/Stony Point) rounded out the Setters' scoring with a time of 22:29.61 to finish in 96^th place.

Men's Results (24^th Place, 8K)
Sophomore CJ Defeo (East Patchogue, N.Y./Patchogue Medford) piloted the Pace harriers for a second straight meet. The Long Island native tallied a time of 31:18.07 to finish in 134^th place.

Freshman Daniel Pacheco (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y./Walter Panas) served as Pace's second finisher with a mark of 32:50.15 while junior Killian McCole (Staten Island, N.Y./Monsignor Farrell) earned a time of 33:11.56.

Sean Lowery (Staten Island, N.Y./Monsignor Farrell) and Nicholas Becker (Lynbrook, N.Y./East Rockaway) rounded out the Blue and Gold attack. Lowery put together a time of 33:28.53 while Becker crossed the finish line in 42:38.65.

Up Next
The Setters will take part in the Mount Saint Mary College Knight Invite next weekend at the Hudson Valley Sportsdome.