UD Teams Finish Third at the Gerry Garza Memorial Invitational

The UD men and women’s cross country teams competed in their six meet of the year on Saturday, October 17th at Northwood College where they were joined by runners from Wiley College, UT-Dallas, the University of the Southwest, and host Northwood University. The competition featured an 8k run for the men and a 5k for the women.

Senior Angela Cuba (Holiday, TX/Holiday H.S.) finished first for the women’s team and 3rd overall recording a time of 20:05. The time tied her season best in a 5k race. Following her were freshman Megan Deras (Omaha, NE/Duchesne Academy) at 10th with 22:12, junior Aida Manganiello(Lindale, TX/Lindale H.S.) at 11th with 23:20, junior Theresa Smart (Peoria, IL/Richwoods H.S.) at 12th with 23:24, and freshman Katie Piescik (Vienna, VA/Home School) at 18th with 25:19. Overall the Lady Crusaders finished 3rd with 54 points.

In front for the men was senior Greg Pivarunas (Elma, NY/St. Francis H.S.). His time of 27:40 was tops amongst the men’s team and 5th overall. The time bested his season personal record 8k by three seconds. In close pursuit behind him were freshman Alex Bukaty (New Orleans, LA/Jesuit H.S.) in 11th with 29:18, freshman Clinton Heyer (Waterford, WI/Waterford Union H.S.) in 18th with 32:07, freshman Paul Sampson (Stayton, OR/Regis H.S.) in 20th with 32:45 and junior Billy Gibula (Richmond, TX/Strake Jesuit College Prep) in 21st with a time of 32:52. Their 75 point total elevated them to a 3rd place finish overall out of four teams.

After a weekend off, the teams’ seventh meet of the year will take place at the NEAC championships in Utica, NY on October 31st at 6:00pm. After heading to New York for the conference championships UD heads to the NCAA DIII South/Southeast regional.