Holmdel, N.J. - Both the Robert Morris University men's and women's cross country teams competed at the Northeast Conference Cross Country Championships on Saturday afternoon at Holmdel Park. The Colonial men took eighth at the event while the women finished in seventh out of 12 teams.

The women were led by a strong effort from Jessica Duffel (Punxsutawney, Pa. / Punxsutawney) who placed 17th with a time of 19:50. In the race of 5,000 meters, Emily Ingle (Tyrone, Pa. / Tyrone) ran with the second best time for Robert Morris with her effort of 20:26. Marie George (Johnstown, Pa. / Richland) completed the race with a time of 20:59.  The squad was rounded out by Ashley Slifko (Carnegie, Pa. / Chartiers Valley) with her time of 21:45, Deb Ostrander (Denton, Md. / North Caroline) at 21:50, Jera Mennetti (Coolspring, Pa. / Punxsutawney) at 22:13 and Sarah Ellsworth (Burgettstown, PA / Burgettstown) at 22:54.

The RMU men's team was paced by Arthur Leathers (Taneytown, Md. / Francis Scott Key) who finished in a time of 27:38 in 17th place. Following in 18th place was Julian Rankin (Cecil, Pa. / Canon-McMillan) who completed the race in 27:38. Brian Mitchell (Allison Park, Pa. / Hampton) finished with a 28:13 mark for the Colonials while Greg Opp (Somerset, Pa. / Somerset) came in at the 28:55 mark.  Jared Feinstein's (Lebanon, Pa. / Cedar Crest) time was 29:26 and Sonny Pinto (Greensburg, Pa. / Hempfield) ran a 31:53.

For the men, Quinnipiac took the team title for the third straight season while the Quinnipiac women claimed the NEC crown for the fourth year in a row.