Cross Country News

Diener, McCormick capture berths
on Inquirer Academic All-Area team

CAMDEN - Rutgers University-Camden saw five of its fall athletes honored on the first-ever Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area teams, which were announced Dec. 11.

The Scarlet Raptors had a trio of fullbacks honored among the 12 members on the Inquirers' academic men's soccer team, as seniors Brandon Bond (Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) and Tom Guida (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) joined sophomore teammate Pat Dougherty (Pittsgrove, NJ/Schalick) in earning honors. The Rutgers-Camden women's cross country team had a pair of academic all-stars on the 12-member Inquirer team as senior Joelle Diener (Rickenbach, Switzerland/Kantonsschule Olten) and junior Rachel McCormick (Blue Anchor, NJ/Winslow Township) were cited for their accomplishments.

The teams, which include athletes from area Division I, II and III schools, were named by the Inquirer in conjunction with the Philadelphia Area Sports Information Directors Association. The 2005 fall teams marked the first venture into collegiate academic all-area squads for the Inquirer.

Diener, a Business Management major who carries a 3.86 GPA, and McCormick, who has a 3.95 GPA as a Mathematics major, were the top two runners on the women's cross country team. Diener finished 13th (of 64 runners) to earn Second Team All-NJAC honors at the conference meet Oct. 29, 2005. She was a two-time All-NJAIAW runner, including this season when she finished first overall at the NJAIAW meet Oct. 1. She also was a Second Team All-NJAC runner in 2004, when she earned Rutgers-Camden MVP honors after leading the team in all eight races. She led the squad in all five races this fall, while serving as team captain.

A three-year cross country runner at Rutgers-Camden, she also has played volleyball and ran track for the Lady Raptors. Diener is a Dean's List and President's List student who was a junior college All-American in cross country and track at Gloucester County College in 2002-2003.

A Dean's List student who is a LEAP Academy and STAR tutor, McCormick was the Raptors' No. 2 runner in 2005, finishing second in all five races. She finished 38th at the NJAC meet Oct. 29, and was an All-NJAIAW runner in 2004, when she finished 15th overall in the NJAIAW meet Oct. 2.

Bond, Guida and Dougherty helped Rutgers-Camden post a 15-5-1 record, reach the New Jersey Athletic Conference championship game and peak at a No. 23 national ranking. The Raptors posted a 47-24-10 record during the four-year careers of Bond and Guida, and were 30-7-5 the last two years, aided by Dougherty.

Bond, who has a 3.60 GPA as a Finance major, finished his career with 80 games played, tying fellow senior Kevin Ridgway for the most games in program history. He had four goals and four assists for 12 career points, was voted Most Improved Player on the 2004 team and captured a pair of academic honors in 2004, being named to the Academic All-District II College Division Men's Soccer Second Team and the New Jersey Athletic Conference All-Academic Second Team. He earned the school's Raptor of the Week honor (as top athlete) on Nov. 8, 2004 and Nov. 7, 2005.

Guida, a History major with a 3.78 GPA, played in 66 career games, collecting one goal and four assists for six points. A Merit Scholar and member of the Rutgers-Camden Honors Program, he was named to the 2003 Academic All-District II College Division Men's Soccer Second Team and the 2003 New Jersey Athletic Conference All-Academic First Team. He also earned NJAC All-Academic Honorable Mention in 2004.

Dougherty has played in 39 of the Raptors' 42 games during his two years as a key fullback reserve. An Engineering major with a 3.79 GPA, he was a Dean's List student during his first two semesters at Rutgers-Camden. He scored his first career goal Oct. 26, 2005 to help the Raptors defeat No. 8-ranked Ramapo College.

Stewart, Diener pace Rutgers-Camden
at NCAA Div. III Atlantic Regionals

ROCHESTER, NY- Rutgers University-Camden freshman Travis Stewart (Runnemede, NJ/Triton Regional) and senior Joelle Diener (Rickenbach, Switzerland/Kantonsschule, Olten) completed their season by leading the Scarlet Raptors' cross country teams at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Atlantic Regional here Nov. 12 at Genesee Valley Park.

The Rutgers-Camden men compiled 933 points to finish 30th out of 32 teams in the 8K race won by The College of New Jersey, which edged SUNY-Geneseo, 64-65. SUNY-Plattsburgh junior Matt DeShane was the top individual runner in a time of 25:16.1 in a race which featured 231 athletes.

On the women's side, the Lady Raptors ran only two runners - Diener and junior Rachel McCormick (Blue Anchor, NJ/Winslow Township) - as they didn't field a complete team. The championship was won by SUNY-Geneseo, which scored 22 points to easily out-distance runnerup Ithaca College (80) in the race which featured 28 complete teams. The individual champion was sophomore Allison Busby from SUNY-Plattsburgh, who ran the 6K race in 21:54.7. The race featured 207 women.

Stewart and Diener led the Raptors in all seven races this season. Stewart finished 142nd overall in a time of 28:43.0. In the women's race, Diener finished 74th at 25:09.5, while McCormick posted a time of 29:05.2 to finish 190th.

In the men's race, Raptors senior Chris McGowan (Barrington, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) finished 164th overall (29:34.5), while freshman Darryl Mendillo (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) was 214th (33:45.3). Junior Frank Tinney (Blackwood, NJ/Paul VI) finished 227th (37:35.9), junior Matt Calloway (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) finished 228th (37:36.4), and senior Taiwan Lamb (Atlantic City, NJ/Atlantic City) was 231st (53:56.8).

NCAA Division III Atlantic Regionals
MEN (8K): 1. The College of New Jersey, 64; 2. SUNY-Geneseo, 65; 3. New York University, 68; 4. University of Rochester, 146; 5. SUNY-Cortland, 151; 6. SUNY-Plattsburgh, 206; 7. SUNY-Brockport, 214; 8. Rochester Institute of Technology, 216; 9. St. Lawrence University, 267; 10.(tie) SUNY-Fredonia and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 314; 12. Rowan University, 325; 13. Vassar College, 353; 14. Ithaca College, 359; 15. SUNY-Oswego, 448; 16. Alfred University, 471; 17. SUNY-Oneonta, 473; 18. Hamilton College, 479; 19. Clarkson University, 489; 20. U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, 550; 21. Richard Stockton College, 589; 22. Nazareth College, 600; 23. Stevens Tech, 657; 24. Buffalo State, 736; 25. Ramapo, 746; 26. Hartwick College, 763; 27. SUNY-Maritime 828; 29. Union College, 898; 30. Rutgers-Camden, 933; 31. York College, 989; 32. Lehman College, 1021.
Leading runner: Matt DeShane (SUNY-Plattsburgh), 25:16.1
Leading Rutgers-Camden runner: Travis Stewart, 28:43.0
WOMEN (6K): 1. SUNY-Geneseo, 22; 2. Ithaca College, 80; 3. The College of New Jersey, 97; 4.(tie) University of Rochester and St. Lawrence University, 217; 6. SUNY-Cortland, 231; 7. SUNY-Plattsburgh, 249; 8. SUNY-Brockport, 263; 9. New York University, 275; 10. Vassar College, 310; 11. SUNY-Fredonia, 329; 12. Hamilton College, 354; 13. Rochester Institute of Technology, 367; 14. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 405; 15. Clarkson University, 430; 16. SUNY-Oneonta, 440; 17. Alfred University, 464; 18. Nazareth College, 514; 19. William Smith College, 555; 20. Buffalo State, 574; 21.(tie) SUNY-Oswego and Union College, 606; 23. Richard Stockton College, 614; 24.(tie) York College and Rowan University, 642; 26. Hartwick College, 656; 27. Lehman College, 699; 28. Kean University, 757. Incomplete: Rutgers-Camden.
Leading runner: Allison Busby (SUNY-Plattsburgh), 21:54.7.
Leading Rutgers-Camden runner: Joelle Diener, 25:09.5.

Stewart paces Rutgers-Camden men
at ECAC Cross Country Championships

WATERFORD, CT - Rutgers University-Camden freshman Travis Stewart (Runnemede, NJ/Triton Regional) finished 109th out of 265 runners at the ECAC Division III Cross Country Championships here Nov. 5. Stewart ran the 8K distance in 27:57 as the Scarlet Raptors collected 944 points to finish 32nd among 38 teams in the event held at Harkness Memorial State Park.

Williams College won the race with 46 points, while Bates College junior Steve Monsulick was the individual champion with a 25:19 clocking.

Rutgers-Camden ran only three runners in the women's race as it failed to field a team. Amherst College outran 28 other teams to win that race with 71 points. Springfield College senior Meg Young was the individual champion in the 227-woman 6K race, posting a time of 21:46.

In the men's race, Raptors senior Chris McGowan (Barrington, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) finished 160th overall (28:56), while freshman Darryl Mendillo (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) was 231st (32:20), junior Matt Calloway (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) finished 255th ((36:18), freshman Nick Eric (Port St. Lucie, FL/Fort Pierce Central) finished 263rd (38:25) and senior Taiwan Lamb (Atlantic City, NJ/Atlantic City) was 265th (51:34).

On the women's side, senior Joelle Diener (Rickenbach, Switzerland/Kantonsschule, Olten) paced the Lady Raptors with a 26:37 clocking to finish 131st. Junior Rachel McCormick (Blue Anchor, NJ/Winslow Township) finished 174th (28:44) and senior Tanishia Greene (Georgetown, SC/Georgetown) was 220th (32:50).

Rutgers-Camden returns to action Nov. 12 for the NCAA Division III Atlantic Regionals in Rochester, NY.

ECAC Championships
MEN (8K): 1. Williams, 46; 2. Bates, 71; 3. College of New Jersey, 149; 4. Vassar, 172; 5. Middlebury, 224; 6. Oneonta, 226; 7. Wesleyan, 231; 8. Amherst, 256; 9. Tufts, 267; 10. Coast Guard, 315; 11. UMass-Dartmouth, 316; 12. Keene State, 320; 13. USMMA, 370; 14. Babson, 392; 15. Conn College, 394; 16. Springfield, 415; 17. Plattsburgh, 417; 18. RIC, 487; 19. Colby College, 544; 20. Ramapo College, 560; 21. Stevens Tech, 617; 22. Westfield State, 619; 23. Maritime NY, 679; 24. SUNY-Institute of Technology, 683; 25 St. Joseph's College, 690; 26. St. Joseph's-Maine, 718; 27. Kean University, 730; 28. Keystone College, 761; 29. Johnson and Wales, 792; 30. Bard College, 808; 31. Emmanuel College, 910; 32. Rutgers-Camden, 944; 33. Salem State, 950; 34. Mass Maritime, 952; 35. Cazenovia College, 956; 36. Roger Williams, 959; 37. Eastern Nazarene, 977; 38. York College, 1030.
Leading runner: Steve Monsulick (Bates), 25:19.
Leading Rutgers-Camden runner: Travis Stewart, 27:57.
WOMEN (6K): 1. Amherst, 71; 2. Tufts, 73; 3. Williams, 111; 4. Middlebury, 130; 5. Coast Guard, 177; 6. Colby College, 180; 7. College of New Jersey, 220; 8. Conn College, 222; 9. Springfield, 235; 10. Vassar, 240; 11. Oneonta, 329; 12. Bates, 392; 13. Southern Maine, 400; 14. Clark University, 444; 15. SUNY-New Paltz, 493; 16. Plattsburgh, 512; 17. York College, 513; 18. William Smith College, 523; 19. Emmanuel College, 567; 20. Keystone College, 620; 21. St. Joseph's College, 630; 22. Salve Regina, 663; 23. Johnson and Wales, 668; 24. Westfield State, 680; 25. Baruch College, 687; 26. Bard College, 691; 27. St. Joseph's Maine, 715; 28. Kean University, 722; 29. Framingham State, 736. Incomplete: Rutgers-Camden
Leading runner: Meg Young (Springfield College), 21:46..
Leading Rutgers-Camden runner: Joelle Diener, 26:37.

Diener earns Second Team honors
at NJAC Cross Country Championships

POMONA -Rutgers University-Camden senior Joelle Diener (Rickenbach, Switzerland/Kantonsschule, Olten) finished 13th overall to earn Second Team honors at the New Jersey Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships here Oct. 29 at Richard Stockton College.

Running the first 6K women's race of the season - the regular-season races are all 5K events - Diener posted a time of 24:30.00, the second-fastest 6K time in program history. It was the second consecutive year that Diener earned All-NJAC Second Team honors at the conference meet.

Scarlet Raptors freshman Travis Stewart (Runnemede, NJ/Triton Regional), meanwhile, finished 24th in the men's race (27:10.00) with the third-fastest 8K time in the history of the Rutgers-Camden cross country program.

Rutgers-Camden finished seventh out of eight teams in both races, which were won by The College of New Jersey. TCNJ had the top nine finishers in the 64-runner field of the women's race, led by Kristen Pogorzelski (22:47.10), on its way to 15 points. Second-place Ramapo College had 81, while Rutgers-Camden had 195.

In the 66-runner men's race, six of the top seven finishers were from TCNJ, led by Matt Randal (25:16.00). The Lions had 17 points in their first-place finish, while second-place Rowan had 52. Rutgers-Camden finished with 191.

On the women's side, Lady Raptors junior Rachel McCormick (Blue Anchor, NJ/Winslow Township) finished second on the team (27:43.40) and 38th overall. She was followed by senior Tanishia Greene (Georgetown, SC/Georgetown), freshman Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) and senior Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown), who placed 62-64, respectively. That trio, which will be part of the Lady Raptors' basketball team in a few weeks, posted 6K times of 36:22.60 by Greene, 36:23.30 by Hafiz and 38:18.80 by Zimmitt.

In the men's race, Raptors senior Chris McGowan (Barrington, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) finished 41st overall (28:46.50), while senior Andrew Silipino (Hammonton, NJ/Hammonton) was 55th (45:59.50), freshman Darryl Mendillo (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) was 58th (46:19.20), junior Frank Tinney (Blackwood, NJ/Paul VI) finished 61st (47:06.40), sophomore Thomas Ward (Mt. Ephraim, NJ/Audubon) was 62nd (47:30.70) and freshman Nick Eric (Port St. Lucie, FL/Fort Pierce Central) finished 66th (49:18.90).

Rutgers-Camden returns to action Nov. 5 for the ECAC Championships at Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford, CT.

Oct. 29 New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships
MEN (8K): 1. The College of New Jersey, 17; 2. Rowan University, 52; 3. Richard Stockton College, 89; 4. Ramapo College, 102; 5. Kean University, 143; 6. William Paterson University, 187; 7. Rutgers-Camden, 191; 8. New Jersey City University, 202.
Leading runner: Matt Randal (The College of New Jersey), 25:16.00.
Leading Rutgers-Camden runner: Travis Stewart, 27:10.40
WOMEN (5K): 1. The College of New Jersey, 15; 2. Ramapo College, 81; 3. Richard Stockton College, 89; 4. Rowan University, 97; 5. Kean University, 140; 6. William Paterson University, 147; 7. Rutgers-Camden, 195; 8. New Jersey City University, 203.
Leading runner: Kristen Pogorzelski (The College of New Jersey), 22:47.10.
Leading Rutgers-Camden runner: Joelle Diener, 24:30.00.

2005 NJAC results

Diener, Stewart pace Raptors
at Cabrini College Invitational

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Rutgers University-Camden senior Joelle Diener Rickenbach, Switzerland/Kantonsschule, Olten) finished third and Scarlet Raptors freshman Travis Stewart (Runnemede, NJ/Triton Regional) finished sixth in their respective races at the Cabrini College Invitational Oct. 15 at Fairmount Park.

Stewart posted the best time of his young collegiate career with a 29:26.24 clocking in the 8K race, which was won by Kevin Bunt of Gwynedd-Mercy College in 28:28.57. A total of 72 runners competed in the men's race, in which the Scarlet Raptors finished seventh out of nine complete teams with 153 points. There were four incomplete teams in the race won by College Misericordia with 53 points.

In the women's race, Diener posted a 21:02.74 clocking to finish sixth out of 64 runners at the 5K distance. The individual race was won by Amy Bower of College Misericordia (18:43.12), while Gwynedd-Mercy College won the team title with 50 points. There were seven complete teams. Rutgers-Camden failed to field a complete team, having only four runners.

In the men's race, Raptors senior Chris McGowan (Barrington, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) finished 18th overall (31:31.91), while freshman Darryl Mendillo (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) was 47th (35:35.17) to finish third for Rutgers-Camden. Rounding out the scoring for the Scarlet Raptors were junior Matt Calloway (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) and senior Brian Jakubowski (Audubon, NJ/Audubon), who finished 57th and 59th, respectively, in times of 37:06.08 and 37:28.92. Freshman Nick Eric (Port St. Lucie, FL/Fort Pierce Central) made his collegiate cross country debut, finishing 71st and posting a 42:45.68 time.

On the women's side, junior Rachel McCormick (Blue Anchor, NJ/Winslow Township) and seniors Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) and Tanishia Greene (Georgetown, SC/Georgetown) rounded out the Lady Raptors' squad. McCormick finished 35th (25:17.15), while Zimmitt was 47th (28:27.41) and Greene was 56th (30:34.57).

The Raptors' cross country team returns to action October 29 at the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships at Richard Stockton College.

Oct. 15 at Cabrini College Invitational
(at Belmont Plateau, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA)

MEN (8K): 1. College Misericordia, 53; 2. Catholic University, 75; 3. PSU Club, 83; 4. Cabrini College, 118; 5. Holy Family College, and University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, 129; 7. Rutgers-Camden, 153; 8. Wesley College, 186; 9. Cheyney University, 232. Incomplete: Chestnut Hill College, Eastern University, Gwynedd-Mercy College, Williamson Trade School.
Leading runner: Kevin Bunt (Gwynedd-Mercy College), 28:28.57
Leading Rutgers-Camden runner: Travis Stewart, 29:26.24

WOMEN (5K): 1. Gwynedd-Mercy College, 50; 2. College Misericordia, 51; 3. University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, 65; PSU Club, 80; 5. Holy Family College, 110; 6. Immaculate College, 156; 7. Cheyney University, 195. Incomplete: Rutgers-Camden, Cabrini College, Chestnut Hill College, Eastern University, Wesley College.
Leading runner: Amy Bower, College Misericordia, 18:43.12
Leading Rutgers-Camden runner: Joelle Diener, 21:02.74

Diener, Stewart pace Raptors
at Goldey Beacom Invitational

WILMINGTON, DE - Senior Joelle Diener (Rickenbach, Switzerland/Kantonsschule, Olten) led the Rutgers University-Camden women's team and freshman Travis Stewart (Runnemede, NJ/Triton Regional) paced the men's squad as the Scarlet Raptors competed at the Goldey Beacom Cross Country Invitational on a rainy day at Carousel Park here Oct. 8.

Diener finished eighth out of 95 runners in the 5K race in a time of 22:42.17 to lead the Lady Raptors to an eighth-place finish with 218 points. Philadelphia University (57 points) finished first in the 12-team field. Joy Aifuwa of the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia was the individual winner with a 21:16.58 clocking.

For the men, Stewart ran a 32:26.33 to finish 23rd overall in the 8K race, which was won by Tom Byrne of West Chester University. Byrne clocked a 29:16.72 time to out-run the 88-man field and lead West Chester to the team title (37 points). Rutgers-Camden finished 11th (260 points) out of 12 teams.

Rachel McCormick (Blue Anchor, NJ/Winslow Township) finished 49th overall and second on the Lady Raptors in a time of 26:34.07. The final three runners on the Lady Raptors' squad, all members of the school's basketball program, were Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown), Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) and Tanishia Greene (Georgetown, SC/Georgetown). Zimmitt finished 62nd overall (28:24.33), while Hafiz was 76th (31:24.70) and Greene was 86th (33:45.38).

Rutgers-Camden fielded a complete men's team for the first time this season, bolstered by the addition of baseball players Matt Calloway (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) and Brian Jakubowski (Audubon, NJ/Audubon), running in their first race.

Stewart led the Raptors, followed by senior Chris McGowan (Barrington, NJ/Gloucester Catholic), who was 40th overall with a time of 33:56.72. Calloway ran a 41:19.65 and Jakubowski finished in 42:39.74 to finish 79th and 81st, respectively. Senior Taiwan Lamb (Atlantic City, NJ/Atlantic City), running in his first meet of the season, finished 88th at 1:02:25.42.

The Raptors' cross country teams return to action October 15 when they travel to the Cabrini College Invitational, which will be held at Fairmount Park in Philadelphia. The men start at 2 p.m., while the women race at 2:45 p.m.

Oct. 8 at Goldey Beacom College Cross Country Invitational
(at Carousel Park, Wilmington, DE)
MEN (8K): 1. West Chester University, 37; 2. Nyack College, 86; 3. Lincoln University, 117; 4. Goldey Beacom College, 122; 5. Kean University, 132; 6. Wilmington College, 133; 7. Philadelphia University, 145; 8. Holy Family University, 197; 9. University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, 203; 10. Wesley College, 254; 11. Rutgers-Camden, 260; 12. Cheyney University, 309.
Leading runner: Tom Byrne (West Chester), 29:16.72.
Leading Rutgers-Camden runner: Travis Stewart, 32:26.33.
WOMEN (5K): 1. Philadelphia University, 57; 2. Georgian Court College, 78; 3. University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, 88; 4. Wilmington College and Kean University, 127; 6. Lincoln University, 169; 7. Nyack College, 177; 8. Rutgers-Camden, 218; 9. Holy Family University, 221; 10. Goldey Beacom College, 232; 11. Wesley College, 234; 12. Cheyney University, 325.
Leading runner: Joy Aifuwa (USP), 21:16.58.
Leading Rutgers-Camden runner: Joelle Diener, 22:42.17.

Diener wins NJAIAW race
to power Rutgers-Camden

WEST PATERSON - Rutgers University-Camden senior Joelle Diener Rickenbach, Switzerland/Kantonsschule, Olten) finished first overall at the New Jersey Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (NJAIAW) Cross Country Championships here Oct. 1 at Garrett Mountain Reservation.

Diener toured the 5K race in 20:36.7, setting a personal best for the second consecutive week. On Sept. 24, she ran a 21:10.68 at the Philadelphia Metro Small College Championships for her old personal best.

Diener's time on Saturday bested a field of 59 runners in the NJAIAW race and was 10.1 seconds faster than the runnerup, Amanda Scibetta of Felician College. Felician won the Division II team title with 16 points, while Ramapo College won the Div. III NJAIAW title with 19 points.

Neither the Rutgers-Camden men nor women fielded a complete team. The men's 8K William Paterson University Open race was won by Omri Holtzman of Hunter College with a 27:26.5 clocking. Felician College won the team competition with 37 points.

Diener's performance marked the second consecutive year that she earned All-NJAIAW honors. She finished third overall at the event last season in a time of 21:27.3.

Rutgers-Camden had four women competing in the race. Finishing second for the Raptors, and 22nd overall, was junior Rachel McCormick (Blue Anchor, NJ/Winslow Township), with a time of 24:04.1. A pair of Lady Raptor basketball players, running cross country for the first time, rounded out the Rutgers-Camden field: senior Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown), who also runs on the track team, finished 49th overall with a 28:07.8 clocking. Senior Tanishia Greene (Georgetown, SC/Georgetown) finished 58th overall at 31:58.6.

On the men's side, freshman Travis Stewart (Runnemede, NJ/Triton Regional) led the Raptors for the second straight week, posting a 30:24.5 clocking to finish 24th overall out of 94 runners. He was followed by senior Chris McGowan (Barrington, NJ/Gloucester Catholic), who finished 42nd at 32:54.0 and freshman Darryl Mendillo (Galloway, NJ/Absegami), who ran a 38:25.9 to finish 80th. Sophomore Steve Sooy (Millville, NJ/Millville) finished 88th in a time of 41:54.3 for Rutgers-Camden.

The Raptors' cross country team returns to action October 8 when they run at the Goldey Beacom College Invitational in Wilmington, Delaware. The women begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by the men at 11:30 a.m.

Oct. 1 at William Paterson University Open
MEN (8K): 1. Felician College, 37; 2. Ramapo College, 61; 3. Kean University, 94; 4. Pace University, 106; 5. William Paterson University, 111; 6. New York Institute of Technology, 157; 7. New Jersey City University, 171; 8. Bloomfield College, 183; 9. Bergen Community College, 207. Rutgers-Camden, Incomplete.
Leading runner: Omri Holtzman (Hunter College), 27:26.5.
Leading Rutgers-Camden runner: Travis Stewart, 30:24.5.

Oct. 1 at New Jersey Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (NJAIAW) Championships
DIV. III WOMEN (5K): 1. Ramapo College, 19; 2. Kean University, 36; 3. New Jersey City University, 77. Rutgers-Camden, Incomplete.
DIV. II WOMEN (5K): 1. Felician College, 16; 2. Caldwell College, 61; 3. New Jersey Institute of Technology, 71; 4. Bloomfield College, 74.
Leading runner: Joelle Diener (Rutgers-Camden), 20:36.7

Diener finishes ninth for Raptors
at Philadelphia Metro meet

PHILADELPHIA - Rutgers University-Camden senior Joelle Diener Rickenbach, Switzerland/Kantonsschule, Olten) posted the best 5K time of her career, running a 21:10.68, at the Philadelphia Metro Small College Championships here Sept. 24 at Fairmount Park.

Diener, whose best previous 5K time was 21:27.3 at the NJAIAW meet Oct. 2, 2004, finished ninth overall out of 132 female runners. The event was won by Joy Aifuwa of the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, who posted a 19:34.62 clocking.

Rutgers-Camden ran only two females and three males in the meet as it failed to field a complete team in its season opener. The women's meet saw 14 complete teams, with Franklin & Marshall College winning the event with 34 points.

On the men's side, Felician College was the winning team with 58 points out of 16 complete teams. The top individual runner, out of 147 competitors, was Umar Saeed of the New Jersey Institute of Technology, who ran the men's 8K race in 27:06.12.

The only other female runner for the Raptors was junior Rachel McCormick (Blue Anchor, NJ/Winslow Township), who completed the race with a 25:38.01 clocking to finish 89th.

On the men's side, freshman Travis Stewart (Runnemede, NJ/Triton Regional) made his collegiate debut by finishing 44th (30:57.63). He was followed by senior Chris McGowan (Barrington, NJ/Gloucester Catholic), who finished 60th at 32:00.03 and sophomore Steve Sooy (Millville, NJ/Millville), who finished 139th in a time of 41:25.16.

The Raptors' cross country team returns to action October 1 at Garrett Mountain in West Paterson. The women run in the NJAIAW Championships, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The men compete in the William Paterson University Invitational, which starts at 11:30 a.m.

Sept. 24 at Philadelphia Metro Small College Championships
(at Belmont Plateau, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA)

MEN (8K): 1. Felician College, 58; 2. Franklin & Marshall College, 63; 3. Richard Stockton College, 77; 4. NJ Institute of Technology, 131; 5. Keystone College, 146; Goldey Beacom College, 167; 7. Philadelphia University, 195; 8. Penn State Berks-Lehigh, 253; 9. Marywood University, 254; 10. University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, 256; 11. Holy Family University, 268; 12. Bloomfield College, 317; 13. Wesley College, 352; 14. Williamson Trade School, 378; 15. Eastern University, 396; 16. Penn State Harrisburg, 447. Rutgers-Camden, Incomplete.
Leading runner: Umar Saeed (NJ Institute of Technology), 27:06.12.
Leading Rutgers-Camden runner: Travis Stewart, 30:57.63.
WOMEN (5K): 1. Franklin & Marshall College, 34; 2. Marywood University, 74; 3. Felician College, 125; 4. Georgian Court University, 132; 5.(tie) University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and Richard Stockton College, 138; 7. Philadelphia University, 161; 8. Penn State Berks-Lehigh, 253; 9. Keystone College, 263; 10. Holy Family University, 286; 11. Gloucester County College, 287; 12. Wesley College, 314; 13. Goldey Beacom College, 324; 14. Bloomfield College, 363. Rutgers-Camden, Incomplete.
Leading runner: Joy Aifuwa (University of the Sciences in Philadelphia), 19:34.62.
Leading Rutgers-Camden runner: Joelle Diener, 21:10.68