WXC: Richard leads Lasers at GNAC Championships

BOSTON, Mass. – Freshman Aly Richard (New Hartford, Conn.) was the top finisher for the Lasell University women's cross country team on Saturday, leading the Lasers to a seventh-place finish at the annual Great Northeast Athletic Conference (CNAC) Championships, held at rainy Franklin Park in Boston.

Richard crossed the finish line in 19th place out of 72 runners, finishing the 6K course in 27 minutes, 30 seconds. She placed eighth among the strong class of GNAC freshmen, averaging 7:22 per mile through the rain and wind.

Seniors Emma Vierling (Monmouth, Maine) and Shakira Henriquez (Methuen, Mass.) were the next finishers for the Lasers, placing 32nd and 36th, respectively, in times of 29:40 and 30:45. Rounding out the Laser scorers were freshman Molly Cochrane (Raymond, Maine) and senior Sophie Fistori (Dartmouth, Mass.), who were 55th and 56th, respectively, in times of 34:33 and 34:43. Fistori was Lasell's selection to the GNAC All-Sportsmanship Team.

Also competing for the Lasers were senior Emily Hong (Southborough, Mass.), who was 59th in 35:55, and senior Averie Greeley (Ledyard, Conn.), who was 62nd in 37:32.

Colby-Sawyer took the team championship with a score of 52, with Simmons University runner-up with a score of 72. Regis College was third (87), followed by Saint Joseph's College of Maine (92), Emmanuel College (97), Norwich University (128), Lasell (179), the University of Saint Joseph of Connecticut (228) and Dean College (272).  

The Lasers have one more race this season, the NCAA Division 3 East Regional Championships on Saturday, November 13, also at Franklin Park in Boston.

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