PISCATAWAY, N.J. (October 8, 2011) – Rutgers men’s cross country finished sixth in a field of 13 schools at the 2011 Metropolitan Championships on Friday, Oct. 7 at Van Cortland Park in Bronx, N.Y.

Columbia won the event with 22 points, followed by NYU in second (61) and Fordham in third place (88). The Scarlet Knights collected 204 points en route to the sixth-place finish.

Rutgers was led by senior Ben Forrest (Jackson, N.J.) who placed 30th with a time of 26:57, followed by sophomore Chris Banafato (Bridgewater, N.J.) and freshman Chris Defabio (Millington, N.J.). Banafato placed 44th with a time of 27:26, while Defabio took 60th in 27:51.

The Scarlet Knights’ fourth runner was freshman Brian Wells (Piscataway, N.J.), who finished 63rd in 27:55. Junior Thomas Bragen (Point Pleasant, N.J.) placed 76th with a time of 28:30, followed by sophomores Curtis Richburg (West Orange, N.J.) and Steve Burkholder (Marlton, N.J.). Richburg took 78th in 28:31 and Burkholder finished 82nd with a time of 28:34.

The Scarlet Knights will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 15, for the Connecticut College Invitational in Waterford, Conn.

Rutgers finishers

30. Ben Forrest                       26:57

44. Chris Banafato                  27:26

60. Chris Defabio                    27:51

63. Brian Wells                         27:55

76. Thomas Bragen                28:30

78. Curtis Richburg                 28:31

82. Steve Burkholder            28:34

Team Standings

1. Columbia                                22

2. NYU                                          61

3. Fordham                                 88

4. St. Francis (N.Y.)                  124

5. Manhattan                             164

6. Rutgers                                    204

7. Wagner                                   223

8. Hofstra                                    243

9. Seton Hall                               256

10. LIU                                          285

11. St. Peter’s                            300

12. Marist                                    301

13. Fairleigh Dickinson            319