Kings Park, NY – Three members of the Monroe University women's cross country team placed in the top-25 of the 5k run at the St. Joseph's Invitational on Saturday, highlighting a strong day as the team finished fourth overall.
 
Sophomore Tanesia Gardiner took 12^th place among 148 runners as she led the pack with a time of 21:55.50. Continuing her impressive campaign, freshman Brooke Sheppard followed with a time of 22:08.10 and taking 16^th place. Freshman Kaliyah Jones rounded out the top-25 finishers with a time of 23:40.30.
 
Other Mustang competitors — freshmen Latejah Bailey (24:58.20) and Anihra Wilkes (26:49.90), and sophomore Julihanna Johnson (30:33.40) — capped off a successful day for the women.
 
"Today's performances were ones of growth, toughness and good execution all the way around," head coach Shirvon Greene said. "This was a good test for the ladies and I am very pleased with each of their performances today."
 
The Mustangs will head to Lebanon, PA, to their final regular season meet of the year next Friday. The meet, the LVC Last Chance Run, will 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).