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BETHLEHEM, PA -- University of Delaware senior Mike DiGennaro was the overall winner by over 15 seconds as the Blue Hen men's cross country squad opened the 2000 season with a second place finish at the Lehigh Invitational Saturday morning at the Goodman Campus Course.

DiGennaro (Hamilton-Wenham/Essex, MA), who placed seventh at last year's America East championships, covered the eight kilometer course in 25:55.3 to outdistance runner-up Alexander L'Heureux of Lehigh, who finished in a time of 26:11.2.

Columbia, which placed five runners in the top 10, took the team title with a total of 37 points, edging the Blue Hens (39) by just two points. Host Lehigh was third at 71 followed by Central Connecticut State (88), Wagner (149), and St. Bonaventure (183) in the six-team field.

Delaware sophomore Pat Riley (St. Marks HS) also had a big day for the Hens, placing third overall with a time of 26:26.1.

Also for the Hens, senior Robb Munro (Sidney Central/Sidney, NY) was eighth in 26:38.3; sophomore Matt Swierzbinski (Caesar Rodney HS) was 13th in 27:05.3; sophomore Pat Boettcher (William Penn HS) was 14th in 27:06.2; and sophomore Jim Catella (Oneonta, NY HS) was 19th in 27:32.1. A total of 67 runners finished the race.

Delaware will host the Delaware Invitational next Saturday at White Clay Creek State Park.

Final Team Standings: 1. Columbia - 37 points; 2. Delaware - 39; 3. Lehigh - 71; 4. Central Connecticut - 88; 5. Wagner - 149; 6. St. Bonaventure - 183.

Top Finishers: 1. Mike DiGennaro (D), 25:55; 2. Alexander L'Heureux (L), 26:11.2; 3. Pat Riley (D), 26:26.1; 4. Eric Blake (CCSU), 26:29.9; 5. Dale Fox (C), 26:31.7.

Other Delaware Finishers: 8. Robb Munro, 26:38.3; 13. Matt Swierzbinski, 27:05.3; 14. Pat Boettcher, 27:06.2; 19. Jim Catella, 27:32.1; 22. Mike Sadowsky, 27:43.8; 23. Anthony Palmer, 27:43.8; 29. Carl Kinney, 28:12.3; 33. Peter Kelly, 28:33.7; 40. Greg Brehm, 28:43.8; 45. Mike Innis, 29:22.6; 50. Brian Cook, 29:54.6; 51. Steve Majkrzak, 30:01.1

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