TROY, N.Y. - Joey Smith took over the lead in the final mile and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) student-athlete won the 4k event with a time of 12:25 in a season-opening meet with The College of Saint Rose and Russell Sage College on Harkness Track. RPI had each of the top five finishers to win with 15 points, while the Golden Knights compiled 50 points. The Gators competed with four runners.

Following Smith was Jay Parker, a sophomore who ran near the lead throughout the race and crossed in 12:36. Jake Cooper, a graduate student, was third in 12:39, Michael Harkins was fourth in 12:47, and Anthony Zarella was fifth in 12:48. Harkins and Zarella are both freshmen as are RPI's other two finishers, Andre Latina (12:54) and Parker Paragas (13:04).

Sophomore Matthew Waruch led Saint Rose (13:18) and Joe Degiorgio paced Russell Sage (13:59).

RPI returns to action on September 10 at the MAAC Preview at The Crossing of Colonie (10:30am).