Oct. 4, 2002

Bronx, N.Y. - The Stony Brook women's cross country team enjoyed its best-ever performance at the Metropolitan Championships on Friday afternoon, finishing in second place as a team. Columbia won the meet with 41 points, while Stony Brook had 53.

The Seawolves were impressive in the 5K as they recorded three of the top four times. Senior Jenny Payne, who captured first place in Stony Brook's other two meets so far this season, finished second with a time of 17:50.3.

Sophomore Leonora Joy and junior Jackie Nunez continued their impressive performances so far this year, finishing third and fourth, respectively. Joy ran the course in 18:09.6, while Nunez posted a time of 18:19.9. Sophomore Laura Hixson placed 10th with a time of 18:59.4.

Freshman Stephanie Hack was 37th with a time of 19:46.2, and senior Patty Gregory placed 39th in 19:48.4.

Julie Culley of Rutgers captured the individual title with a time of 17:21.6. As a team, Rutgers finished third behind the Seawolves with 100 points. Manhattan, Fordham, Wagner and Seton Hall rounded out the order of team finishes.

On the men's side, junior Dale Summerville was the top finisher for the Seawolves. He ran the five-mile course in 26:44.2 for 29th place. Stony Brook finished 12th as a team.

Stony Brook returns to action next weekend, Oct. 12, at the Iona Quad Meet.