Cross Country Takes Second, Third

The Harvard mens and womens cross country teams both had very strong showings yesterday at the Boston College Invitational at Franklin Park in Boston.

The Crimson men were led to a second-place finish by the strong teamwork of senior captain John Friedman and junior Nathan Shenk-Boright, who both recorded top-10 finishes. The women, on the strength of five top-25 finishes, placed third.

We have put in a lot of work, Friedman said, and its starting to show.

Harvards men faced steep competition against the likes of the University of New Hampshire, Boston College and Providence College.

The Friars showed their dominance yesterday, as its runners claimed the top four finishes in the race. Their first-place overall finish was a surprise to few who follow collegiate cross country; Providence won last years Big East Championship and is off to a fast start this year, led by All-American Hamish Thorpe.

For Harvard, Friedman came in fifth overall, posting a time of 24:55.6. He was followed immediately by Shenk-Boright, who was sixth in a time of 25:01.5.

We work together during the race, Friedman said.

Friedman added that he and Shenk-Boright were together for about four miles of the five-mile race.

We are similar in ability and training, he said.

In the Crimsons last race it was Shenk-Boright over Friedman by seven seconds. This time, Friedman beat Shenk-Boright by six.

Also scoring for Harvard was junior Matt Seidel, who finished 14th overall in a time of 25:35.10. Rounding out Harvards top five was a pair of juniorsJohn Traugott (20th, 25:53.30) and Simon Holmes (25th, 26:01.10).

Everyone ran really well, Friedman said. We were really excited to beat Boston College and UNH.

In the earlier race of the day, the Crimson women squared off against the same teams as the men and managed a third-place finish. Harvard was bested by Providence and Boston College.

The race was won by Boston College freshman Maria Cicero in her collegiate debut with a time of 17:15.20.

The Crimsons five scoring women all finished in the top 25. The Harvard girls used a pack strategy, placing four runners between number 18 and 25.

The lead Crimson female for the second race in a row was junior Melissa Tanner. Tanner crossed the line in a time of 18:15.5, good for 13th place.

Sophomore Mairead OCallaghan was second in 18th place and a time of 18:50.0. Rounding out the scoring for Harvard was junior Dierdre Colgan, (20th, 18:58.4), freshman Kim Smith (23rd, 19:10.0) and sophomore Beverly Wheelan (25th, 19:11.2).

The Crimson men and women next challenge themselves by heading to New York City on Sept. 29 for the Iona Meet of Champions in Van Cortlandt Park.