WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. - Competing in their opening meet of the 2012 season, the Mount Saint Mary College cross country teams traveled to nearby Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls, N.Y. for the New Paltz Invitational. Both the men and women placed third, while each team competed in a four team field.

On the women's side, Mount junior Rachel Sleeter (Hyde Park, N.Y.) was the top finisher with a time of 17:13, which earned her a 13th place finish. Following behind in 21st place was classmate Nicole Zazzero (Brewster, N.Y.), crossing the line in 17:51. Senior Ashley Maurer (Stormville, N.Y.) and sophomore Emily Stafford (Colonie, N.Y.) rounded out the top thirty, placing 26th and 28th respectively. Leading the way for the newcomers, freshman Aimee Caron (Chatham, N.Y.) captured 31st place in a time of 19:15.

After missing a large portion of last season due to injury, Mount junior Scott Colello (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) returned as the top finisher for the men. Colello crossed the line in 15:26 to place 21st overall. Fellow junior Ian Brink (Wallkill, N.Y.) followed closely behind, finishing in 23rd. Impressive in his collegiate debut, freshman Nick Yurisak (Flushing, N.Y.) placed third for the Knights and 28th overall with a time of 16:15.

The Knights return to action on Saturday, September 8, as they travel to SUNY Cobleskill to compete in the Steven A. Warde Invitational. The meet is slated to start at 11:00 a.m.