RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Niagara men's and women's cross country teams both took eighth place in the 2009 MAAC Championship Meet on Friday afternoon at Van Cortlandt Park.

Junior Mike Trendell (Oriskany Falls, N.Y.) led the men's team with a time of 27:29 on the 8k course, good for 24th place. Senior Colin Durina (Poland, Ohio) wasn't too far behind Trendell, finishing in 35th place with a time of 27:58. Juniors Jason Fischer (Newfane, N.Y.), Brian Traugott (Rochester, N.Y.) and senior Corey Brown (Batavia, N.Y.) rounded out the top five for the Purple Eagles.

Freshman Nicole Mehlman (Perkasie, Pa.) was Niagara's top finisher in the women's race, covering the 6k course in 25:25, good for 38th place. Finishing seven seconds after Mehlman was freshman Jessica Spellane (Vestal, N.Y.), who finished in 42nd place. Seniors Chelsea Usack (Horseheads, N.Y.) and Liz Smyth (Cicero, N.Y.) along with freshman Jennifer Raby (Lewiston, N.Y.) rounded out Niagara's top five.

Iona College swept both the men's and women's championships.

The Purple Eagles conclude the 2009 season when they compete at the 2009 NCAA Northeast Regionals in Boston, Massachusetts on Nov. 14.