Cross Country Claims Both Individual Titles at Mount Saint Mary College's Fall Pumpkin Run

NEWBURGH, N.Y. – Competing in their final tune-up prior to the CACC Championship Meet next weekend, the University of Bridgeport's men's and women's cross country teams took part in Mount Saint Mary College's Fall Pumpkin Run on Sunday. The men's team placed second while the women's squad posted a third-place performance.

Men's Recap (2^nd Place, 8K)

The Purple Knights surrounded the top of the leaderboard on Sunday, sweeping the top two spots and placing three runners inside the top five.

Senior standout Toby Middleton claimed the individual title with a winning time of 26:34.3, continuing his stellar fall campaign.

Sophomore Edoardo Vandelli followed closely behind in second place at 28:09.7, while freshman Alex Sanchez secured a fifth-place finish with a time of 30:52.9.  

Austin Wagoner crossed the line in 18th (38:18.5), and classmates Sunil Peters (26th, 50:58.2) and Jackson Sanders (27th, 51:51.2) rounded out the Purple Knights' efforts in a strong showing from top to bottom.

Women's Recap (3^rd Place, 5K)

The Purple Knights also delivered a strong all-around performance on the women's side, led by Julia Fortune, who captured the individual title in a collegiate-best time of 21:42.9.

Sophomore Stephanie Lickteig continued her consistent season with a third-place finish in 21:53.7, giving the Purple Knights two runners inside the top three.

Abety Kivagheni placed 14th (26:43.3), while Kara Sampath and Samantha Rodriguez rounded out Bridgeport's scoring group in 20th (28:49.4) and 21st (30:13.4), respectively.

The balanced effort highlighted Bridgeport's depth and progress as the team continues to build momentum towards the conference championship next Sunday.

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The Purple Knights will take part in the 2025 CACC Championship next Sunday (Oct. 26) in Philadelphia, Pa.