STONY BROOK, N.Y. – The LIU men's cross country team opened the 2021 season at the Stony Brook Invitational Saturday. The Sharks finished sixth as a team, led by freshman Elyas Ayyoub's top ten finish.
 
LIU was competing against Stony Brook, Sacred Heart, Quinnipiac, Boston College and Columbia on the nearby 6k course.
 
Ayyoub was the top finisher for the Sharks, coming in ninth overall, with a time of 19:30.60. Junior Jonathan Gonzalez was next for the Sharks, coming in 38th overall in a time of 20:51.70. Perry Balsamo crossed the line with a time of 21:30.10, just ahead of Aidan Haughian, who came in with a time of 21:30.50. And Justin Rajab was the final scorer for the Sharks, with his time of 21:48.40.
 
Up next, the Sharks compete at Iona's Br. John "Paddy" Doyle Meet of Champions, Friday, September 17 at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx.