Brookdale Cross Country Teams Shine at NJCAA DIII Region 19 Championship

The Brookdale Community College men’s and women’s cross-country teams delivered impressive performances at the NJCAA DIII Region 19 Championship held on Sunday, October 27, at Branch Brook Park in Newark, New Jersey. The women’s team celebrated top-three finishes while the men’s team placed multiple runners in the top 10, showcasing the depth and talent of the Jersey Blues.

Women’s Cross Country Team Achieves Historic Finish
The Brookdale women’s team earned standout placements in the 5K race, marking the highest finishes the program has seen in over 15 years. Freshman Georgia Jones led the charge with a 2nd-place finish, followed closely by sophomore captain Brooke Meberg, who secured 3rd place. Their achievements solidify a strong season and boost the team’s confidence as they prepare for the NJCAA DIII National Championship.

The women’s team will return to competition on November 9, when they compete on the national stage at Pole Green Park in Richmond, VA.

Men’s Cross Country Team Places Strongly in Top 10
The men’s 8K race saw an equally impressive showing from Brookdale’s runners, with freshman Gavin Tay and Andrew Lorig finishing 4th and 5th, respectively. Freshman Harmon Hass followed with a strong 14th-place finish, while Alex Carrillo delivered his best performance of the season, placing 17th overall and 4th for Brookdale. The Blues’ success continued with Jeremy Villagra-Castro (18th), sophomore Aidan Casucci (19th), and a lineup of athletes who placed among the top 30, including Lance Bennette, Diego Alva, Scott Hurst, Jack Kratka, Fredson Rodriguez-Segovia, Isaias Usurin, and Carmine Isaac.

The men’s team now shifts focus to the NJCAA DIII National Championships, also scheduled for November 9 at Pole Green Park in Richmond, VA.

Both teams are eager to build on their regional successes as they aim to bring home national honors for Brookdale Community College.