From NYU Athletics

The New York University men's cross country team finished in second place at the Metropolitan Championship, which was held on Friday, October 9, at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, NY. 

The Violets compiled 71 team points, finishing behind only Fordham University (27 points). Rutgers University was third (89 points) in the nine-team race. NYU was the only NCAA Division III team competing.

Junior Jorge Maldonado finished fifth in the 114-person race over the 8k course. He posted a time of 26:48.0.

Following right behind his teammate was sophomore Max Mudd, who took sixth place in a time of 26:54.5.

"Jorge has really made great strides, and this was probably the best race Max has had," said Head Coach Will Boylan-Pett. "We are a young team learning a lot every time we race."

The Violets' had one more top-20 finisher as sophomore Karn Setya ran a time of 27:25.1 and captured 20th place. However, a pair of NYU runners finished right behind him as sophomore Neil Saddler(27:27.0) and senior Daniel Rieger (27:29.3) took 21st and 22nd, respectively.

HIGHLIGHTS:

- Next in for NYU was junior Nick Karam. He took 35th place in a time of 27:50.0.

- The Violets' seventh finisher was freshman Brandon Shirazi (37th place, 27:51.3).

- One more Violet finished among the top 40, as senior Max Avila took 39th place (27:54.8).

"I liked the effort. Second place is great," Boylan-Pett added. "Happy with the effort, for sure. Big week next week."