The month of October is the stretch run in the cross country season and Joanne Mundo stepped up to the challenge for the second straight year as the 2008 conference Rookie of the Year ranked among the top runners in the CUNYAC once again.
October’s first meet, hosted by the College of Staten Island, was one of the most competitive of the year, as there were 103 runners from 16 colleges, including some Division II schools. Mundo was ready for the challenge, finishing 7th overall with a time of 27:46 in the 6K race. Mundo then topped her performance in the following week as she finished 3rd overall, with a time of 27:04, while leading her team to a 1st place finish at the Brooklyn College Invitational 6K.
Mundo saved her best for last however, as she ran a time of 26:55 at the CUNYAC Championship Meet, finishing 4th overall, and only 12 seconds behind 2nd place Lisa Lamanna of Staten Island.
“Joanne is one of the hardest working athletes that I have been around,” said her head coach Alex Lang. “She is constantly looking to improve and has been a great example to her teammates.”
Mundo, a sophomore, will have a great chance to improve on her times next season and remain one of the top runners in the conference.