Bronx, NY – Freshman Sarah-Lea Cohen of the Monroe University women's cross country team highlighted a tremendous opening day of competition at the Queensborough Invite / NJCAA Division I Region 15 Championship on Sunday.
 
Within this meet there were three scoring categories — overall, junior college division and regional. Cohen secured a second-place finish among 159 runners during the 5k race, clocking in at 21:45.65 to capture the region title.
 
Overall as a team, the Mustangs came in first place in all three categories, with Cohen's second place finish providing a huge boost to the team's overall placement. As a result of winning the region category, Monroe clinched a spot at the 2025 NJCAA Division I Cross County Championships in Iowa in November.
 
In a season dedicated to the late Monroe professor Justin Ramos, a big supporter of the program, the Mustangs put together a solid showing at Van Cortlandt Park.
 
Sophomore Tanesia Gardiner built off her fantastic freshman campaign by finishing sixth overall (runner-up in the region section) with a personal-best time of 23:49.57.
 
Freshmen Brooke Sheppard (24:37.79), Kaliyah Jones (25:59.38), Latejah Bailey (26:18.22) and Anihra Wilkes (27:31.75), and sophomore Julihanna Johnson (31:39.61) rounded out the event for the Mustangs.
 
"The women ran very well today, with most competing in their first ever collegiate cross country race at the hardest course all season," head coach Shirvon Greene said. "Dealing with the hot weather, they fought through it and I am very proud of them and the steps they took."
 
Monroe's next race is scheduled for Saturday, October 11, at the METS Championships at Branch Brook Park in Newark, NJ.
 
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).