FITCHBURG, Mass.--The Maine Maritime Academy men's and women's cross country teams made their spring debut on Saturday by competing in the running events at the Jim Sheehan Track and Field Invitational hosted by Fitchburg State University. The Mariners were eighth in the 18-team men's standings with 31 points, while MMA was 14th on the women's side.

Senior Ponce Saltysiak led a very productive day for Maine Maritime which recorded seven combined top-10 finishes. He accounted for three of those including third-place in both the 800-meter run in 2 minutes and 9.21 seconds and 3000m steeplechase in 10:12.72, plus he was the second leg on the runner-up 1600m relay squad in 3:57.30.

In the 5000m, junior Cooper Parlee (15:47.59) and freshman William Spaulding (15:48.94) ranked third and fourth, respectively. 

Freshman James Brubeck also had a top-10 showing the 3000m steeple in ninth with a 13:44.21 clocking.

The 1600m relay also consisted of senior Zane Chubet, freshman Caden Dussault and sophomore Logan Serpico.

Sophomore Sophie Sabet was seventh in the women's 5000m with a time of 22:16.64.

All told, MMA registered four personal records including Saltysiak with two (800, 3000m steeple), Parlee (5000m) and Serpico, who had a 4;35.52 time in the 1500m for 13th.

Maine Maritime wraps up the 2024-25 campaign next Saturday at the Saint Joseph's College of Maine Monks Track and Field Invitational in Standish.