By Bailey Knecht, sports editor

The Northeastern men’s and women’s cross country teams have proven to be top contenders in the 2014 season thus far. On Saturday, the teams made their way to Smithfield, R.I., to run in the Shawn M. Nassaney Invitational.

Boston College, Boston University, Bryant University, Holy Cross University, University of Hartford and Quinnipiac University were among the teams competing.

The women’s team took third place overall in the 5k behind Boston College and Boston University. They just missed second place, falling one point short of BC. Northeastern sophomore Jordan O’Dea led the pack with a time of 17:53 and a first-place finish.

Fellow sophomore Lucy Young finished third at 18:12, followed by freshman Kerri Ruffo at 18:12.7.

Senior Zachary Fraielli led the dominating performance on the men’s side. Fraielli, who finished in third in 2013 and 16th in 2012, proved how much he’s improved over the years with a first-place finish. The veteran runner completed the race 16 seconds before any of his competitors with a time of 15:25.3. He ran at a pace of 4:57 per mile.

Grad student John Schilkowsky crossed the finish line following Fraielli at 15:41.3. A total of five Northeastern runners completed the race with top-10 times, including freshmen Christian Stafford and James Navin and senior Charles Conway.

“This year’s newcomers are truly great athletes,” coach Cathrine Erickson said in an email interview. “I believe we have the right people in the program, and when you combine that with great coaches, this team has the opportunity to accomplish things that only the distance squads of the ‘70s and ‘80s have accomplished.”

The men finished the competition with a score of 24, far ahead of the second place team, Boston University, which scored 61. This marks the second year that the men’s team has finished in first at the Nassaney Invitational.

Erickson discussed the veteran runners, including sophomore Kate Johnstone, who took first at last week’s KSC Invitational.

“The work that Kate put in during the offseason was evident, and I couldn’t be more proud of how she raced in Keene, N.H., at the KSC Alumni Invitational,” Erickson said. “Kate is going to play a key role as we get into the championship season, so it is important that she remains healthy and driven as we head into October and November.”

The Huskies will meet Boston College and Boston University again at the Battle in Beantown on Sept. 26.

“The current team is an exceptional group of individuals who exhibit both personal and athletic characteristics which rival some of the best kids in the country,” Erickson said. “Their work ethic and dedication to succeeding in the classroom and on the field of play is exceptional and I am very proud to be a part of the current team.”

Photo courtesy of Northeastern Athletics