MIDDLETOWN, CT – The Smith College cross country team turned in a strong performance at the Cardinal Invitational, finishing fifth overall in a highly competitive 13-team field. The Bears posted a team time of 1:58:17, averaging 23:39 per runner across the 6k course.
Senior captain
Lyda Martin (San Antonio, TX/Lee) once again paced Smith, placing 21st overall in 22:34.7, setting the tone for the team's top-five finish.
Smith's depth was on display as junior
Sofia Jurusz (Wildwood Crest, NJ/Middle Township) and first-year Avery Maiese finished just steps apart, crossing in 23:18.6 and 23:19.9, good for 38th and 39th overall. Junior
Lucy Kreipke (Princeton, NJ/Princeton) (24:04.2) and senior
Hillary Connor (Yarmouth, ME/Yarmouth) (24:59.8) rounded out the scoring five.
Additional contributors included junior
Catherine Collins (Westfield, NJ/Westfield) (25:15.4) and first-year Abigail Lei (25:31.4), both of whom added key depth to the lineup.
MIT captured the team title with just 22 points, followed by Coast Guard, Wesleyan, and Amherst. Smith's fifth-place finish placed them ahead of Union (N.Y.), WPI, Keene State, and Springfield among others.
The Bears will look to build on this momentum as they continue their fall schedule as they will travel to Bethlehem, PA for the Paul Short Invitational on October 4th.
About Smith Athletics: Smith College is a NCAA Division III member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference that sponsors 11 intercollegiate sports. For more information log onto GoSmithBears.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram
