| Results - Father Bede Invitational | Results - Monmouth XC Kick-Off |

BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The LIU Brooklyn women's cross country program opened its 2016 season with a pair of races over the weekend. The Blackbirds took part in the Father Bede Invitational, hosted by Saint Francis U., before running in the Monmouth XC Kick-Off in New Jersey.

Junior Adjovi Simpini was the top finisher for LIU, closing in 29th position in western Pennsylvania with a time of 21:47. Simpini averaged 7:01 per mile over the 5K course, outdoing 45 other runners in the field. At Monmouth, Simpini ranked 32nd out of 81 competitors and finished the 4K run in 16:23, an average of 6:35 per mile.

Other finishers at the Father Bede Invitational included junior Esther Jean Louis, who crossed the finish line in 38th position. Senior Alison Doway (43rd), junior Nerene Aberdeen (44th) and sophomore Zaahira Deboise (47th) rounded out the LIU Brooklyn squad.

At the 4K race in New Jersey, sophomore Liz Burton began her LIU career with a 47th-place showing, while Doway finished 50th, Deboise crossed in 52nd, and newcomer Cisse Diawara was 56th.

The Blackbirds return to action on Saturday, Sept. 10 at the University of North Florida Cross Country Invitational in Jacksonville, Fla.