FARMINGTON, ME – The SJC Men's Cross Country team opened the 2010 campaign with a fourth-place finish, and 98 points, in the UMF Invitational at Mt. Blue High School on Saturday.

Monks senior Eric Friend (Portland, ME/Cheverus) paced the Royal Blue with a 24:09.41 performance and finished 15th overall in the 6K race. Freshman Jake Kostik (Durham, ME/Freeport) was the second Monk to cross the line and placed 23rd with a 24:45.80 effort in his first collegiate event.

University of New England placed five runners in the top 10 and earned the team victory with 30 points on the day. The Nor'easters were followed by Maine Maritime (50), Farmington (57) and St. Joe's.

Mariners' runner Matthew Methot (Portland, Maine) toured the 6K course in 21:13.5 to take the individual crown, while UNE's Brandon Mulligan (Westfield, MA) notched a 21:46.92 effort and Farmington's Pat Pozzetti (Portland, CT) at 22:09.78 placed second and third, respectively.

St. Joe's will hit the trails again next Saturday at the University of New England Invitational. The event, which takes place at Rotary Park in Biddeford, will begin at 11:30 AM.