PISCATAWAY, N.J. (September 11, 2011) – Rutgers men’s cross country finished ninth out of 16 teams with 273 points at the Fordham Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 10 at Van Cortlandt Park.

Christopher Banafato (Bridgewater, N.J.) led the Scarlet Knights, finishing 28th in 26:41.25. Christopher DeFabio (Millington, N.J.) was the second RU runner to complete the five mile race, completing the course in 27:47.05 to take 72nd. Curtis Richburg (West Orange, N.J.) and Ben Forrest (Jackson, N.J.) placed back-to-back, taking 84th (27:58.44) and 85th (27:59.77), respectively. Steven Burkholder (Marlton, N.J.) placed 130th in 29:15.78.

The Scarlet Knights will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Monmouth Invitational in Holmdel, N.Y.

Rutgers Individual Times

28th           Christopher Banafato       26:41.25

72nd          Christopher DeFabio        27:47.05

84th           Curtis Richburg                    27:58.44

85th           Ben Forrest                          27:59.77

130th         Steven Burkholder            29:15.78

139th         Brian Wells                            29:26.92

153rd         Anthony Hortem                29:44.69

163rd         Thomas Bragen                   30:10.24

189th         Ben Horel                              31:07.79