Newark, NJ – A personal-record filled day highlighted the Monroe University men's cross country team's performance at the METS Championship at Branch Brook Park on Saturday.
 
Clocking a season-best team average of 29:25.80, the Mustangs each shaved off more than three to eight minute from their times from the season opener at the Queensborough Invite, setting new personal-best time across the board.
 
Sophomore Nkanyezi Ziqubu led the way for the Mustangs by placing sixth overall against some of the top Division I programs in the area. His time of 24:59.00 was a 2:05 improvement from the season opener and is now top-five in program history.
 
Freshman Boitshepo Mashilo was the second Monroe runner to cross the finish line, clocking in at 25:54.00, a 3:34 improvement from his debut collegiate run. Freshman Yassine Rahoui had a 6:04 improvement to run a 27:38.00 and finish third among Mustang competitors.
 
Freshmen Jazir Harris (3:34 improvement), Jahiem Lawrence (1:54.10) and Douglas Lee (8:02.04) rounded out the Monroe runners for the event in New Jersey.
 
The women's team also saw the same personal-record improvements across the board, capping a phenomenal day of growth for the cross country program as a whole.
 
"It was a great day for us today," head coach Shirvon Greene said. "The men ran very well and I am happy with each of their performances. We will use these next couple of days to rest up for the next meet."
 
The Mustangs will compete in their third event of the season on Saturday when they run in the St. Joseph's Invitational at Sunken Meadows State Park in Kings Park, NY. The meet is set to begin at 11:00 am.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE UNIVERSITY
The athletic program at Monroe University encompasses a total of 26 teams competing across nine sports. There are 19 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as the Monroe University marching band, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has seven teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level.
 
For more information about the Monroe Mustangs, please visit us at www.MonroeUMustangs.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe Mustangs Athletics), Twitter (@MonroeMustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs).