University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Bryant University Invitational
XC Squads Wrap Up Competition In Ocean State
September 10, 2011 | Men's Cross Country
Sept. 10, 2011
SMITHFIELD, R.I. - With no team scoring in the meet, motivation came from personal performances for the UMass men's and women's cross country teams on Saturday at the Bryant University Invitational. This was the first time in at least 12 years that the men raced in Rhode Island, while the women did so just last year. On the men's side there was a field of 97 competitors, while the women's contingent consisted of 96 harriers.
The top performances of the day for the Amherst contingents came from Karen Roa and Antony Taylor. The former ran the women's 5K course in 18:17.99 taking sixth place, while the latter of the duo crossed the line at 15:46.29 while placing 14th overall in the men's 5K competition. As a sophomore, this is the first time that Taylor has ever led UMass in a cross country meet.
Filling in the latter four spots for the men's top five were Andrew Erwin, newcomer John O'Shea, freshman Michael Giardina, and sophomore Jared Reddy. As one of just two seniors on the Minutemen squad, Erwin placed 23rd in a field of 97 harriers, with a time of 16:02.64. O'Shea and Giardina followed closely in 26th and 28th with times of 16:07.49 and 16:08.55. Reddy wrapped up UMass' quintet with a 32nd place finish in 16:26.70.
For Julie LaFreniere's Minutewomen, Danielle McNiff, Rachel Hilliard, Megan Cummings, and Hannah White filled in to complete the fastest harriers of the day for UMass. McNiff crossed the line at 19:28.31 and placed 26th overall, while three freshman followed Roa and her in 29th, 36th, and 39th respectively with times of 19:38.18, 19:59.25, and 20:01.78.
In all, five newcomers between the men and women made their way into the team's top five in their first collegiate event ever for UMass.
Both squads return to action next Saturday for the annual Minuteman Invitational on the home course. Start time is set promptly for 11:30 am.
