FSU Races in Saints Invite at Franklin Park

DORCHESTER, Mass. – Fitchburg State University cross country teams raced in the 9^th running of the Saints Invitational on the historic cross country course at Franklin Park on Friday evening. Over 360 runners represented 19 colleges and universities, with 17 women's teams competing in the 5k and 16 men's teams in the 8k event. Both Falcon squads placed sixth in the race, with the women's side garnering 182 points, and the men with 154.  

Leading the way for the Green & Gold on the women's team was freshman Nicole Gaffney with a 16^th place finish (21:23), followed by senior Jenae Harrison at 21:46 (26^th place). Sophomore Sadie Zbikowski placed 43^rd at the 22:33 mark, and freshman Shawna Ryan and Jessica Mangan rounded out the top five at 23:10 (52^nd) and 23:16 (56^th) respectively. 

Braila Roy (23:24, 59^th), Jenna Phelps (23:35, 64^th), and Bridget Diggins (23:57. 71^st) also had strong races all under the 24 minute mark. 

With top runner Brian Amaral out this week, fellow rookie Jake Hastings led the Falcons with a fifth place finish at 27:24. Sophomore Matthew Cuomo also had a strong showing at 27:44 in 11^th place. Timothy Allen placed 28^th at 28:46, while Joseph Little came across the line at 29:14 (41^st). 

Wheaton College took team honors on the women's side, placing four runners in the top ten and scoring 30 total points. Babson College won the men's race with the Beavers sealing up the four positions among the top 13 racers, as the team combined for 65 total points.

Babson College senior Marina Capalbo repeated as the women's individual champion, topping her time from a year ago by 25 seconds with a 19:04 finish to pace the women's field of 157 runners. On the men's side, Babson senior Mark Gulesian crossed the line in 27:00 even for the individual win. 

The teams will be idle next weekend in preparation for the Alliance/MASCAC Championships in Williamstown on Saturday, November 1^st.

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