Bethpage, NY - Hofstra senior Phil Giackette finished first and freshman Kristin Mathis placed third to lead the Pride men's and women's cross country teams at the inaugural Walter "Brick" Stone Run at Bethpage State Park Saturday afternoon. Hofstra finished first overall as a team in the women's race with 35 points while the men finished second overall with 44 points.

Giackette, a native of Ozone Park, clocked an 8K time of 25:35 to win for the first time in his college cross country career and post his seventh top 10 finish of his career. Sophomore newcomer Daniel Rono (Eldoret, Kenya) placed third for the Pride in 26:02 while junior Fred Shattell (Liverpool, NY) was eighth in 26:50. Senior Tom Daly (Mahopac, NY) placed 14th in 27:48 and senior Owen Graham (Derry, NH) placed 18th in 28:37.

Adelphi won the men's race with 29 points followed by Hofstra with 44 points. C.W. Post was third with 70 points followed by Farmingdale with 98 points and Suffolk Community College with 126. Pace did not place as a team.

On the women's side, Mathis, a native of Williamstown, NJ, led all five scoring Pride runners in the top 11 with a time of 20:12 on the 5K course. Junior Meghan McCloskey (Brewer, ME) was fourth in 20:28 with sophomore Cara Mattson (East Meadow, NY) placing eighth in 20:58. Freshman Elizabeth Jerome (Northport, NY) was ninth in 21:00 while freshman Brittney Towner (Rocky River, OH) was 11th in 21:08.

Other Hofstra finishers for the women included junior Katie Wiking (Farmingdale, NY) in 15th place in 21:32; sophomore Brittany Potter (Quincy, MA) in 17th in 21:41; freshman TeresaMarie Governale (Whitestone, NY) in 21st place in 22:09; junior Kelly Lutz (Catonsville, MD) in 31st place in 23:24; junior Rebecca Salentino (Glen Cove, NY) in 32nd place in 23:36.

Adelphi freshman Betsy Eickelberg won the women's race in 20:04 followed by Pace sophomore Brianna Cano in 20:10.

The Pride women captured the team title with 35 points followed by Adelphi, which won the Division II/III competition in both races, with 42 points. C.W Post was third with 82 points followed by Pace (94), Suffolk Community College (133) and Farmingdale State (151).

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