NEWARK, N.J. – Multiple runners posted course personal bests as the Centenary University cross country teams competed in the Highlander XC Challenge hosted by NJIT on Saturday morning.

Two members of the Centenary women's team improved on their time in the event from a year ago.

Senior Cassidy Haller was the top finisher for the Cyclones as she finished the 5k course in 20:36. That was good for 79th in a field of 252. Haller improved her time at the Highlander XC Challenge by over a minute.

Freshman Carmen Escano ran a time of 23:55 for the Cyclones while sophomore Meghan Barone ran a time of 25:14 on Saturday.

Senior Alexis Alford crossed the line in 27:14 while fellow senior Cailin O'Hara posted a time of 27:51. O'Hara improved her time at the Highlander XC Challenge from a year ago by nearly three minutes.

The men's 8K race also saw a pair of Cyclones post personal bests on the Highlander XC Challenge.

For the second straight year, senior Justin Staszak lowered his time as the challenge. This year, Staszak ran a 30:54 for the Cyclones. That bettered his time from a year ago by nearly two minutes.

Fellow senior Brian DiDonna lowered his time at the NJIT event as well. He crossed the line in 37:35 which was nearly three minutes better than the last time he ran the course.

Sophomore Ellis Brown posted a time of 41:59 for the Cyclones. Dylan Hoagland also ran in the event for the Cyclones.

Centenary is back in action on Thursday, Oct. 10 when the Cyclones compete in the CSAC Preview Race at 4 p.m.