PRINCETON, N.J. — The Columbia University cross country team had a successful showing at the Princeton Fall Classic at Meadows Cross Country Course on Friday morning, with the women's team finishing eighth overall and the men's team placing 16th.
Senior Rory Clare once again led the charge for Columbia, finishing 28th overall in the 6k with a time of 20:47.3. Sophomore Olivia Murray and junior Leanna Johnston finished just seconds apart at 41st (20:58.9) and 42nd (20:59.4), respectively. First-year Seelah Kittelstrom continued her strong rookie campaign, placing 56th at 21:10.3, while fellow rookie Ava Malagisi rounded out Columbia's scoring five, crossing the finish line at 21:24.9. Senior Daniela Quintero (21:31.4) and junior Caroline Jankowich (22:11.0) also set personal bests of their own in the race.
On the men's side, senior Edward Blaha paced the Lions, clocking in at 23:56.0 for a 38th-place finish in the 8k. Sophomore Henry Koike-Sieira crossed next at 24:05.9, followed by senior George Blaha at 24:14.9. Rounding out Columbia's scoring five were senior Brett Bishop (24:25.1) and first-year Darren Pasek (25:01.4), giving the Lions a team spread of just over one minute. Junior Quentin Ryan (25:16.4) and first-year Lukas Malek (26:01.3) followed closely, with additional efforts from Liam Hanemann's personal best time of 26:08.4 and Jack Casey's 26:36.2 mark.
The rest of the results from the Princeton Fall Classic, including all of Columbia's individual performances, can be found HERE.
The Lions will have next weekend off before hosting the Ivy League Heptagonal Championships at Van Cortlandt Park on Friday, October 31 at 11 a.m.
Stay up to date on all things Columbia cross country by following the Lions on Twitter (@CULionsXCTF), Instagram (@culionsxctf) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).
