FARMINGDALE, NY - The Iona University women's cross country team opened its 2026 season Friday at the Adelphi Panthers Invite, a 6k race held at Bethpage Polo at the Park. The Gaels finished second overall in the team standings as sophomore Sofia Lumbreras led the squad with a seventh-place individual finish.
 

IONA PERFORMERS

Lumbreras' seventh-place finish came in in 22:17.0. Sophomore Alex Schulz matched Lumbreras' time of 22:17.0 and placed eighth overall. Junior Kiera Atkinson was Iona's third finisher, placing 20th in 23:26.3. Junior Ruby McPhillips followed in 21st at 23:26.4, while senior McKenna Arguien rounded out the Gaels' five scoring runners in 22nd place with a time of 23:26.4. Sophomore Kayleigh Atkinson finished 23rd overall in 23:27.1.
 

THE RUN DOWN

Iona's top two finishers placed inside the top 10, with Lumbreras and Schulz separated only by the timing system at 22:17.0.
 
The Gaels' next four runners also finished within a 1.0-second span, with Kiera Atkinson, McPhillips, Arguien and Kayleigh Atkinson crossing between 23:26.3 and 23:27.1.
 
Lumbreras, Schulz, Kiera Atkinson, McPhillips and Arguien combined for Iona's team score of 78 points.
 

TOP INDIVIDUAL FINISHES

Cornell's Maisie McManus won the individual race in 21:28.9. Monmouth placed two runners in the top three, with Kristen Sarnicola finishing second in 21:29.4 and Lexi Mizzone third in 21:45.8. Bryant's Natalie Persson placed fourth in 21:55.9, while Cornell's Sophia Juanes Seto rounded out the top five in 22:00.9.
 

TEAM SCORES

Cornell claimed the team title with 33 points. Monmouth finished second with 67, followed by Iona with 78, Bryant with 82 and Central Connecticut with 123.
 
The race featured 17 schools overall.
 

Iona Performers

Pl.	Runner	Time
7.)	Sofia Lumbreras	22:17.0
8.)	Alex Schulz	22:17.0
20.)	Kiera Atkinson	23:26.3
21.)	Ruby McPhillips	23:26.4
22.)	McKenna Arguien	23:26.4
23.)	Kayleigh Atkinson	23:27.1

 

Top 10 Performers

Runner	School	Time
Maisie McManus	Cornell	21:28.9
Kristen Sarnicola	Monmouth	21:29.4
Lexi Mizzone	Monmouth	21:45.8
Natalie Persson	Bryant	21:55.9
Sophia Juanes Seto	Cornell	22:00.9
Fiona Lee	Cornell	22:05.4
Sofia Lumbreras	Iona	22:17.0
Alex Schulz	Iona	22:17.0
Ava Pennachio	Cornell	22:19.7
Elaina Rainwater	Monmouth	22:25.3

 

Team Scores

Pl.	Team	Score
1.)	Cornell	33
2.)	Monmouth	67
3.)	Iona	78
4.)	Bryant	82
5.)	Central Connecticut	123
6.)	Hofstra	166
7.)	Adelphi	202
8.)	LIU	212
9.)	Molloy	253
10.)	Queens (N.Y.)	318
11.)	USMMA	332
12.)	SUNY Maritime	353
13.)	Caldwell	373
14.)	St. Joseph's (L.I.)	375
15.)	Farmingdale St.	382
16.)	Sarah Lawrence	424
17.)	Yeshiva	480

 

UP NEXT

Iona hosts the 31st Annual Br. John "Paddy" Doyle / Iona University Meet of Champions next Friday, September 11 at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. The Mick Byrne Men's Championship 5 Mile is set for 10 a.m., followed by the Joe Dula Women's Championship 5K at 10:45 a.m.

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