Fitchburg State Participates In Shriners Invitational

Lane turns in top time over women’s 5K; Kibler takes top honors on men’s side

NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. (September 17, 2011) – The Fitchburg State men’s and women’s cross country teams traveled to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth this afternoon for the 2011 “Shriners” Cross Country Invitational.

The Fitchburg State men’s team posted the MASCAC’s top team finish, placing 12th overall with 316 points, while the women placed 33rd with 890 points on the day.

For the ladies, junior Emily Lane (Clinton, Conn./The Morgan School) turned in the top effort for the Falcons, finishing the Corsairs 5K layout in a time of 20:53. Senior Katelyn Page (Beverly, Mass./Beverly) placed second on the squad with a time of 21:41, while junior Chenice Branquinho (East Freetown, Mass./Old Colony) turned in a time of 23:11. Suzanne Williams (Rutland, Mass./Wachusett) finished fourth on the day for Fitchburg State, earning a time of 24:06, while junior Kelsey Chand (Middleboro, Mass./Bristol Plymouth) followed close behind with a time of 24:12.

On the men’s side, senior captain Chris Kibler (Bath, Maine/Morse) collected the MASCAC’s top performance of the day, earning 14th place overall out of 255 runners. Kibler completed the men’s 8K layout with a blistering pace of 25:21.

Freshman Eric Ouellette (Ashburnham, Mass./Oakmont) was also solid on the afternoon, posting a time of 26:59, while junior Will Lary (Winchendon, Mass./Murdock) remained consistent, collecting third place honors with a time of 27:03. Newcomer Brandon Davis (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg) added to the mix with a  time of 27:07, while junior Michael Grasela (New Bedford, Mass./New Bedford) capped the Falcons top five with 27:18 effort.

The Fitchburg State men’s and women’s cross country teams will be back in action next weekend as it participates in the Worcester City Meet at 11 a.m.