RUTHERFORD, NJ – The Felician University Women’s Cross Country team made history yesterday by clinching the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Championship at Belmont Plateau in Philadelphia. This marks the first women’s CACC championship title for Felician University.

Five of seven Felician University runners finished in the top 20. This gave the Golden Falcons 36 points on the 5k course and a finalized time of 1:43.06.

Fifth year senior Bri Balderas of Somerset, NJ and Senior Ashley Linares of Passaic, NJ secured first and second place, and helped to propel the Golden Falcons to victory. Balderas finished first, crossing the finish line in just over 20 minutes at 20:02.4. Linares was second with a time of 20:10.1.

Cynthia Delapaz of Alvin, TX placed 4th, Kadreya Simeon of Pompton Plains, NJ came in 12th and in 17th place was North Bergen, NJ local, Shayla Morales. Also running in support of the team were Woodbridge, NJ resident, Catherine Catipay, and Kelsey Pereira of Cliffside Park, NJ.

University President James W. Crawford, III remarked, “I am very proud of this team. Dedication and commitment are the hallmark of Felician athletes and these Golden Falcons put Felician University and all of our values on the map.”

The team is deftly guided by Garfield, NJ native and first year head coach, Anthony Scannella.

The Golden Falcons head to the NCAA East Regional Championship in Farmingdale, NY at Bethpage State Park on Saturday, November 19.