Blue Cross Country Takes Second At Wellesley Invitational

WELLESLEY, Mass. – First year Ava Shipman (Makawao, Hawaii) finished in fifth place to lead Wellesley College cross country to second place at the 2017 Wellesley Cross Country Invitational on Friday evening at Nehoiden Golf Course. 

Shipman's time of 19:40.5 was the best of the Blue in her collegiate debut, while three of Wellesley's top five finishers in the race were making their collegiate debuts. Shipman was followed by first year April Chu (Fremont, Calif.) who finished 12th in 20:26.1. 

Sophomore Fiona Harrigian (San Marino, Calif.) finished just behind Chu in 13th (20:28.4) and first year Hannah Russo (Summit, N.J.) followed in 14th (20:33.2). Senior Clare Salerno (Johnson, Vt.) rounded out the scoring runners for the Blue with a time of 20:36.8.

Brandeis took first in the team standings, placing the top four runners in the field, including individual winner Emily Bryson (Quincy, Mass.). Bryson finished in 18:31.8. Regis was third in the three team field, led by seventh place (19:49.1) finisher Molly Curtin (Brockton, Mass.).

Wellesley will continue the season in two weeks at the Bates Invitational on Saturday, September 16, at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, Maine.