Senior Lucy Van Dalen (Wanganui, New Zealand) won the Pre-Nationals meet at Indiana State University this Saturday.

The women’s team, currently ranked 12th in the country, placed fourth overall, its highest finish ever at a pre-national meet.

Van Dalen finished in 20:08.1, two seconds ahead of the next runner.

Her sister, Holly Van Dalen (Wanganui, New Zealand), also a senior, was the second runner to finish for the Seawolves. She finished the 6,000 meter course in 20:27.1 to take eighth place.

“Once again, Lucy and Holly showed they are among the best cross country runners in the country,” Stony Brook coach Andy Ronan said in a press release. “For the team, it was the second part of our preparation for the championship season that starts in two weeks. We are happy with today’s performance, but we have more preparation to do, as we move towards the meets that count.”

The third Stony Brook runner, junior Hayley Green (Wellington, New Zealand) ran 25th and finished in 20:57.3.

Men’s XC runs at Princeton

Meanwhile, junior Gerard Harley (Setauket, N.Y.) led the men’s team at the Princeton Invitational with a time of 25:13.

Also scoring for the Seawolves were freshman Daniel Denis (Bayport, N.Y.), who ran 26:08.60, junior Mark Appledorf (Hauppauge, N.Y.), who finished in 26:14.30, freshman Carlos Roa (Jamaica, N.Y.), who finished in 26:23.60, and junior Alex Varone (Providence, R.I.) who ran 26:53.40.

Both teams compete again at the American East Championships on Oct. 30 in Boston, Mass.