Men's XC Fifth at Earley Invitational
Westfield State University sophomore Nathan Sylven (Wrentham, Mass.) finished in 13th place in the individual rankings to lead the Westfield State men’s cross country team’s efforts at the 28th Annual James Earley Invitational Cross Country race at Stanley Park on Saturday.
WESTFIELD, Mass. -- Westfield State University sophomore Nathan Sylven (Wrentham, Mass.) finished in 13th place in the individual rankings to lead the Westfield State men's cross country team's efforts at the 28th Annual James Earley Invitational Cross Country race at Stanley Park on Saturday.
Westfield placed fifth among 18 scoring teams at the meet.
Roger Williams University sophomore Dylan Beggins won the individual title in a time of 25:33, 22 seconds ahead of his closest competitor. Williams College's Bradley St. Laurent was second in 25:55, followed by Wesleyan University's Bruce Lenes in third in 26:10.
Wesleyan took home the team title with 32 points, placing seven runners in the top 17. Roger Williams was second with 51, followed by Williams (97) Springfield (131) Westfield (138) and MASCAC-conference foe Fitchburg (194).
Sylven came home first for the Owls in 27:04, running just behind the lead pack.
"My race wasn't too bad," said Sylven. "I'm coming back from an injury so I am working my way back to where I was last year. It was a good showing, im 30 seconds faster than last week. The team did pretty well, I feel like we are in a strong spot heading toward conference."
Junior Gordon Johnson (Hanson, Mass./Whitman-Hanson) was next for the Owls in 32nd place with a time of 28:02.
Will Buckley (Plymouth, Mass./North) (37th), Jarrod Ledvina (Fairhaven, Mass.) (39th) and Brandon Hager (Hanson, Mass./Whitman-Hanson) (46th) rounded out the Owls' scoring five for the meet.
A total of 187 athletes finished on the 8,000 meter course, which includes fields, trails and hills in the 300 acre Stanley Park which includes playing fields, display gardens, a duck pond, a colonial era village and a wildlife sanctuary. The race was held in near-perfect conditions under sunny skies and mid-60 degree temperatures.
The race is named in memory of James Earley, a Westfield State student-athlete who passed away in a motorcycle accident before his senior year in 1995.
Westfield will be back in action next weekend, at the Connecticut College Invitational in Waterford, Connecticut, which serves as a preview for the NCAA Regional meet later this fall. Some Owls athletes will also compete at the Western New England Invitational in Springfield.