By Alex Bensley, news staff
Northeastern University cross country raced at Franklin Park Saturday, with the men’s and women’s teams finishing in the top ten of their respective races.
The men finished eighth out of 27 teams with an average time of 26:18 in the 8K, while the women finished seventh out of 28 teams with an average time of 18:51 in the 5K.
“We were hoping for a top-three finish on both sides,” head coach Cathrine Erickson said. “But things just didn’t come together as we would have liked.”
Second-year Chance Lamberth finished in fourth place with a career-best time of 25:28 to lead the way for the Huskies. Third-year Dan Romano, fourth-year James Garbier, first-year Joshua Holihan and fourth-year Christian Stafford finished next for the Huskies: 26:12, 26:26, 26:40 and 26:44, respectively.
“I am very proud of Chance and how well he ran,” Erickson said. “Early on in the race, he took a wrong turn but he was able to get back on course and move back into a good place. It was a great finish for him.”
Second-year Louiza Wise crossed the line first for the Huskies once again for the women, placing 14th with a time of 18:24. Fourth-years Brooke Wojelski, Lucy Young and Kerri Ruffo finished next, with first-year Grace Bugara rounding at the top five: 18:33, 18:46, 18:52 and 19:41, respectively.
Lamberth and Wise were recognized for their performances by the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), and both second-years earned Runner of the Week honors.
The cross-country team has worked hard so far this season, but Erickson said the team is still a work in progress.
“We are a little disjointed as our older folks are adjusting to competing while on co-op and our freshmen are learning the ropes of their first year of college,” Erickson said. “We anticipate this year as a big transition year for everyone.”
Northeastern has raced at Franklin Park twice this season and has no remaining meets in Boston. The team will race at Central Connecticut State University on Oct. 20 before preparing for the CAA Championships in Richmond, Virginia, on Oct. 28.
