Rivier XC runs to a pair of third place finishes at the Raider Invitational

(Nashua, N.H.) The annual Raider Invitational took place this morning on the beautiful campus of Rivier University. Emerson College took home the top place finish on the women's side and the team championship for both Men and Women. Emerson was able to sneak out a 42-54 win over the Suffolk women and a 28-46 result over the New Hampshire Technical Institute men.

The unique course which features a step hill, rugged wooded trails and pavement was the site for the annual meet. It was a beautiful day weather wise as there were clear skies and a temperature around 67 degrees at race time.

The women's 5K race featured the Lions claiming four spots of the top eleven spots as they captured the team championship over Suffolk University and Rivier University. Emerson finished the race with a team total of 42 points. Suffolk finished with 54 points and Rivier came in third with 60 total points. Wheelock College (88 points), Newbury College (123) and Pine Manor College (138) all competed in the meet and finished fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively. This race also doubled as a Dual Meet for the Raiders and Gators as they went head to head with Rivier winning that meet 19-36.

Emerson College senior Ali Dokus cruised to a first place finish as she crossed the line at 19:51, 20 seconds faster than Rivier University freshman Anna Pearsons who finished with a time of 20:12. Pine Manor's Maria Vaughan (22:08), NHTI's Brindi Schroder (21:12) and Rivier sophomore Grace Flanagan (22:14) round out the top five finishers.

Wheelock's Kylie Schultz (6th, 22:30) and Suffolk's Francesca Nardelli (7th, 22:47), Daniel Webster's Ashley England (18th, 24:26) and Newbury's Naomi Riccotti (22nd, 26:01) were their team's respective top finishers.

In the head-to-head dual meet, the Raiders had five of the first six finishes while the Gators had the 2nd and 7th through 10th places.

On the men's side, Emerson captured five top 10 finishes to easily win by 18 points.

NHTI's Quinn Parker was the fastest runner as he set the mark, crossing the line at 27:22. Emerson's Tim Gersten came in second at 29:09 while teammate Sean Stackhouse finished third with a time of 29:16. Greg Keilig of NHTI and Emerson's Mike O'Connor rounded out the top five as Keilig ran to a 4th place finish at 29:40 and O'Connor crossed at 30:10.

Suffolk's Mohamed Hayibor ran a solid race to finish 6th with a time of 30:15 and NHTI's Tim Kneuer was the 7th person to cross the line at 30:23. Matthew Benson (Emerson – 8th @ 30:41), Mohamed Mohamed (Wheelock – 9th @ 30:43) and Nik Rodewald (Emerson – 10th @ 30:46) round out the top 10 finishers of the 47 man field.

Sophomore Isaiah Arteaga was the top finisher for Rivier as he crossed the line at 31:14, good enough for a 15th place finish.

Rivier and Daniel Webster also competed in a Dual Meet with the Raiders claiming victory with a final score of 17-42.

Women's Team Results: Emerson (42), Suffolk (54), Rivier (60), Wheelock (88), Newbury (123) and Pine Manor (138)

Men's Team Results: Emerson (28), NHTI (46), Suffolk (109), Rivier (113), Wheelock (115), Newbury (153), and Daniel Webster (166).