SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Several Toreros turned in strong performances, as the men's and women's cross country programs completed their stint at the National Catholic Invite, hosted by Notre Dame on Friday.
 
The women's team took home fifth place overall, while the men's side finished in seventh.  
 
"First and foremost, it was an honor to be here and represent our identity, being a Catholic institution," said head coach Will Guarino.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The men's side opened the day and were once again led by Russell Gokemeijer, who set the tone and turned in a time of 26:45.50 to place 49th.
• Gokemeiejr and Will Stefanou both made late charges, racing through the first mile at 65th and 66th respectively, before each moving up more than 10 places.
• The women's side proved to form a strong unit, as Aryam Jaimes and Gianna Sbarbaro turned in some of the day's best finishes.
• Jaimes led all Toreros in 32nd, while Sbarbaro place 37th, approaching the race in a similar way as the men's side and emerging from 58th and 62nd place, respectively, through the first mile.
• As a unit, the women's side stood in sixth place through the first mile, but ran a strong collective race to power past Detroit Mercy to move into the top-five.
• The men's side also made a similar jump, moving from eighth to seventh as a unit and past Niagara.

 
TORERO TIDBITS

• Jillian Lange led all freshmen on both teams for the second consecutive week, finishing 56th overall.
• On the women's side, the Toreros defeated sixth other programs, including Division I sides Detroit Mercy and Niagara.
• The men also defeated Niagara as well as a total of three other teams.

 
The Toreros will return to action in the city of San Diego, competing at the San Diego Mesa College Invite, on Friday, Oct. 6.
 
FULL RESULTS
Men (5 Miles):
Russell Gokemeijer – 49^th – 26:45.50
Will Stefanou – 55^th – 26:54.90
Sean O'Keefe – 68^th – 27:32.60
Jack DeVries – 88^th – 28:21.20
Tyler Ratkovich – 89^th – 28:23.90
Anthony Lenzini – 93^rd – 28:41.70
Hudson Rowan – 95^th – 28:46.30
 
Women (5000 Meters):
Aryam Jaimes – 32^nd – 18:37.00
Gianna Sbarbaro – 37^th – 18:41.30
Jillian Lange – 56^th – 19:20:30
Maggie Duba – 65^th – 19:32.40
Hana Husmann – 67^th – 19:37.40
Lizzie McVey – 74^th – 19:55.20
Daniella Hubble – 75^th – 19:56.30
 
 
To stay up to date with Toreros cross country and track & field, follow the team on Twitter by searching "USDxctrack", or on Instagram by searching "USDxctf."