Lincroft, N.J. – Junior Rogers Kipruto led the Long Island University cross country team on Saturday at the Monmouth XC Kickoff, taking fifth place in a field of over one hundred athletes. The Rift Valley Province, Kenya native was the first Northeast Conference athlete to cross the line, one second ahead of Wager's Zachary Spector.

Kipruto logged a time of 19:00, and was followed by junior Kenneth Wallace-Whitfield, who came in 46^th with a time of 20:33. Freshman Jonathan Piniero impressed in his first meet as a Blackbird, clocking a 21:02 and coming in 59^th. Freshman Elijah Taylor, junior Chris Welch and senior Elmo Neckles rounded out the roster for the Blackbirds, who took sixth place in the team standings.

On the women's side, senior Emily Rosario was the first Blackbird to cross the line in 34^th with a time of 16:37. Freshman Jalisa Sanchez and junior Tricia Beckles also crossed the line for the Blackbirds.

Albany took the top team title in both the men's and women's team scoring.  Long Island is back in action next weekend at the Fordham Fiasco at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx.