BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Matt Lecky finished first and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's cross country team was second at the multi-divisional Paul Short Invitational, on Friday. The Engineers had four of the top 40 finishers and compiled 114 points for the runner-up team spot. Southern Connecticut State was first with 90 points.

Coming off wins at the Ron Stonitsch Invitational and the Saratoga Invitational over the last two weekends, Lecky came away victorious once again, completing the 8K course in 24:30.2 (4:55.8 pace). The junior was 2.5 seconds in front of the second place finisher, Isaac Prather of Concord, who crossed the line in 24:32.7.

Rensselaer's John Reed was 15th overall with a time of 25:15.2, while freshman Vince Simonetti and sophomore Jason Gibbons, took 26th and 31st, respectively, in times of 25:29.1 and 25:33.1.

RPI is now idle until they head to Waterford, Conn., for the Connecticut College Invitational on October 16.