Blue Cross Country Wins Pop Crowell Invitational

WENHAM, Mass. -- The Wellesley College cross country team took home the title at the 2012 Pop Crowell Invitational hosted by Gordon College on Saturday. The Blue bested a field of 30 teams competing in the 5K event, while first-year Priyanka Fouda placed second overall among 317 runners.

Fouda finished her race in 18:46.9, marking the fastest time for a Wellesley runner on the Gordon course. She was bested by only Hannah Zydanowicz, a sophomore from Roger Williams who ran an 18:36.2.

Behind Fouda, Wellesley recorded three other top-10 finishes. Senior Cristina Lucas took seventh overall in 18:59.2, while senior Ada Smith (19:01.0) and sophomore Taylor Bickford (19:06.9) both recorded personal best times, finishing eighth and ninth overall. 

Rounding out the scoring for Wellesley, junior Margaret Wehner and sophomore Alexandra Dunn both took home top-30 finishes. Wehner ran a 19:41.0 to take 25th place, while Dunn recorded her first career time under 20 minutes, running a 19:49.1 and finishing 30th overall. 

Other top finishers for the Blue included junior Doris Berman, first-year Carolyn Chelius, and junior Skye Roberts who all finished in the top-80. Berman ran a 20:37.9 to finish in 70th, Chelius clocked in at 20:38.7 in 72nd place, and Roberts recorded a 20:44.2 finishing 78th. 

Blue cross country will next compete at Westfield State's James Earley Invitational next Saturday at 12:00pm.