NEWARK, N.J.  – Personal best times were toppled for Pace cross country on Saturday at the Highlander Invitational. In the event hosted by New Jersey Technical Institute (NJIT), the women's team earned a 13th-place finish while the men's side finished in 22nd. The Blue and Gold was well-represented on the course alongside over 30 schools.

In the women's 5K race, seven individuals broke their personal best time in the event with a total of 378 points. Raelle Gorman shined in the event posting a personal record of 21:18:2 which earned her a top-60 time.

Following the junior were two Setters who also recorded a personal best with Jasmine Mares-Alvarado (22:06:5), and Gianna Priore (22:25:9). Next in line for Pace was Meryl Mizell (22:28:2), Rebekah Espiritu (23:17:4), and Inara Coles (24:33:7).

As for the men's 8K, four Setters snapped a personal best on their way to 593 points. Adem Ozkurt was the first on the men's team to cross the line and break his personal record with 29:33:7. Behind the sophomore, Derek Bustillo (29:41:7), and Carlos Zhicay (32.05.2) also earned a personal best finish in the event.

The next to cross the finish line for Pace was Richard Christie who completed the course in 32.15.7. Finally, to round out the men's team Francesco DiBona earned a personal-best time of 33.45.3.

All around it was an outstanding effort from both teams as the Setters continued to wrap up their 2024 season on a strong note.

Up next, for Pace cross country's final regular season event the Setters head to Sunken Meadow State Park on Saturday (Oct. 19) for the Saint Joseph's Long Island Invitational.