Sights Set High for BIG EAST Championship Saturday

Carmel, Ind. – The Seton Hall men's and women's cross country teams are looking to make a leap in the standings this season as the BIG EAST Championship is set to commence at 11 a.m. at the Northview Church cross country course.

On the men's side, senior Jarod Moser (Duncanville, Texas) has been the first or second Pirate to cross the finish line in every race so far this season. He had the best Seton Hall time at the Metro Championship on Oct. 12 and the NJIT Invitational on Oct. 6.

The Pirates will be without junior Jesse Southard (Gorham, Maine) on Saturday, who had been the top runner for the Pirates before he was sidelined by an injury.

Earlier this season, the men won the UMES Cappy Anderson Invitational after beating out six other schools.

There is a palpable buzz surrounding the women's program and its potential for a great effort on Saturday.

"Every other school in the BIG EAST is looking at Seton Hall as a threat," said head coach John Moon. "I believe we have the potential to have our best BIG EAST meet in many, many years."

The women have been led all year by freshman Emma Newgarden (Staten Island, N.Y.), sophomores Emily and Olivia Hernandez (East Brunswick, N.J.), and senior Kiley Britten (Crystal Lake, Ill.).

Newgarden has paced the Pirates in all six races this year, and was the individual meet champion at the NJIT Invite and Cappy Anderson Invitational. Each of the Hernandez sisters have been a top-5 Pirate to cross the finish line every meet.

"As a coach, I want them to be relaxed and have fun. If we can do that, we are going to surprise some people," said Moon.