Newton, MA— Emmanuel College hosted the Sixth Annual Saints Invitational on Friday, October 15^th, at Franklin Park.  Three hundred men's and women's cross country athletes represented 24 colleges and universities from across the region.  Lesley University won the women's 5k with four runners placing amongst the top ten.

Babson College's sophomore Charlotte Margel and freshman Natalie Cullings ran 1^st and 2^nd, finishing in 19:48 and 20:35, respectively.  Emerson College sophomore Heather Hoglund ran third in a time of 20:36. Babson junior Michelle Black ran close behind in 4^th with a time of 20:36, while Community College of Rhode Island freshman Jackie Hurteau rounded out the top five with a time of 20:38.

Lesley University's team championship came with 38 points and included placing runners in 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, 8^th and 12^th place.  Babson College took second place in the women's race, scoring 57 points.  Worcester State University placed 3^rd with a total of 58 points.

Lasell was paced by junior captain Meghan Missett (Lowell, MA) who concluded the meet in 21:33, and in 24^th place individually. As a team, Lasell finished ninth overall, with 236 points.

Freshman runner Alexandra Smith (North Easton, MA) improved upon her personal-record, clocking a 24:44, taking one second off her prior season-best.  Smith finished 99^th out of the 175 total women's runners, and fourth for the Lasers.

Amanda Driscoll (Roslindale, MA) was the second Laser to cross the finish line at the Saints Invitational.  Driscoll was just one second over her career-best run, finishing the course in 22:38, and placing 42^nd amongst all participants.  

Solange Carpenter (Gorham, ME) and Christina Annicelli (North Easton, MA) earned 53^rd and 71^st place with times of 22:58 and 23:38 respectively.  First year athlete Nora Ulias (Holyoke, MA) crossed the finish line at 28:33 and fellow freshman Alaina Eldredge (Sandford, ME) ended at 29:34.

The next meet for the Lasers will be the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Championship hosted by St. Joseph's College of Maine on Saturday, October 30^th.