Shawn M. Nassaney Memorial Invitational Women's 5K Cross Country Results

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- The LIU Brooklyn women's cross country team opened up the 2018 season with the Shawn M. Nassaney Memorial Invitational hosted by Bryant, in Smithfield, R.I. on Saturday. The Blackbirds finished in 11th place in the 5K meet in a total time of 1:44.34 with two runners posting personal best times in their initial meet of the season.

Seniors Esther Jean-Louis and Sarah Northup led the Blackbirds with a pair of sub-twenty minute times. Jean Louis was the lead LIU runner, placing in 53rd place, in a notable time of 19:36.9, which was her best since the 2015 season. Northup was three places behind in 56th place with a 19.41.6 time stamp.

Senior Cayla Coleman in her first-ever cross country meet came in at 21:23 (89th place), leading the second pack of Blackbirds. Classmate Zaahira Deboise was next in 21.38 (92nd Place), with sophomores Stephanie Reyes (22.13, 94th) and Ashton Burton (24.20, 96th) filling out the field for LIU in the event. Reyes' time eclipsed her 22.29 personal best set at Disney's Cross Country Classic in Kissimmee, Fla.

Boston College (24 points) won the meet that featured five other NEC schools; host Bryant, Central Connecticut, Fairleigh Dickinson, Sacred Heart and Wagner. The NEC Championship will be back at the same course on October 27.

NEXT UP
The Blackbirds will run in Iona's annual Dr. Paddy Doyle Meet of Champions next Saturday, September 15, at historic Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx.