By Kent Stein
Nagged by injuries and an overloaded training schedule, Northeastern’s cross country teams still managed to turn in strong performances at Friday’s Quinnipiac Invitational in Hamden, Conn.
The women’s team finished in third place out of nine teams, behind Quinnipiac and Columbia. Junior Emily Watson led the Huskies and finished sixth overall, running the 3.1 mile course in 19:20. Juniors Erin Ballard and Stephanie Morrison finished at 16th and 17th, respectively, in times of 19:35 and 19:35.3.
The squad had been heavily training up to the race and was not properly rested. The team, however, still ran well, according to track coach Sherman Hart.
“I understand that we’re still in the training mode,” Hart said. “We actually trained through this meet … given the circumstances, I’m fairly happy.”
Seniors Amy Hicks and Amber Cullen missed the race due to minor stress fractures. Hart noted both women should be back within the next two weeks. While Hicks, a team co-captain, could have run on Friday, Hart wanted to rest her for more important meets in the following weeks.
“We need her to go into the CAA Championship healthy,” he said, referring to the Oct. 29 conference championship race in Wilmington, N.C. “A couple more weeks and we’ll really be ready to go.”
The women were recently ranked 23d in the latest New England Cross Country Poll.
The men’s squad finished the race in sixth place out of 10 teams. Freshman Tom Brown led the Huskies, finishing the 4.97 mile course in 27:21, for 12th overall. Sophomore T.J. Niles finished 30th in 28:08.
Brown’s time at the meet was worse than it was at his last race, but he cited differences between running in races between three and 10 teams.
“It’s a slower course,” Brown said. “It was more of a team effort, not individual. We did better than last year and are happy with where we were at.”
Hart said he was very pleased with the men’s results. He again cited a fierce training schedule, but was impressed with the men’s consistency during the race.
“I was really pleased with the guys,” Hart said. “They will be successful if they continue to be aggressive.”
