SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Fairfield University Men's Cross Country opened the 2019 campaign on Saturday morning t the Shawn M. Nassaney Memorial Invitational, hosted by Bryant University. The Stags were paced by Robert Dillon, who finished 16th of 128 runners in his collegiate debut.
 
Dillon finished the 8K course in 26:03.8 to finish 16th overall. Also crossing the line in the top half of the field were Benjamin Breton (47th), James Vizzard (58th) and Thomas VanDerslice (64th). Pacifico Flores rounded out the quintet of scoring runners for the Stags.
 
Five of Fairfield's top six finishers were freshmen competing in the first race of their respective collegiate careers.
 
On the team leaderboard, the Stags finished ninth, besting Assumption and Rhode Island College. Northeastern won the meet with four of the first five finishers, including individual pacesetter Cameron Dickson.
 
Fairfield returns in action in two weeks on Sept. 21 at the Henry Mercer Invitational at Holmdel Park, which is also the site of the 2019 MAAC Championship.