NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (October 21, 2022) -- It was one final pre-championship tune-up for the Franklin Pierce University cross country program on Friday afternoon, as the Ravens participated at the CCSU Mini-Meet, hosted by Central Connecticut State University at Stanley Park. Junior Wondu Summa (Burlington, Vt.) was the highlight for the Ravens once again, as he picked up his fourth straight race win with a 14:40 time in the 5k, which was just two seconds shy of the course record, and shattered the Franklin Pierce program record at the distance.

The men finished in fifth out of the 12 teams that raced at CCSU. The second Raven to cross the line was junior Ryan Outerbridge (Paget, Bermuda), who finished in 20^th in the 96-runner field, for his 15:20 time. Junior Thomas Darrah (Thetford, Vt.) took 28^th for his 15:29 time. In 31^st, with a time of 15:31 was graduate student Sebastien Vicary (Ulceby, United Kingdom). Meanwhile, fellow graduate student Riley Fenoff (Danville, Vt.) finished in 15:38 to claim 41^st, and junior Ryan Walker (Seabrook, N.H.) took 46^th for a 15:46 time. Junior Evan McNeice (Wethersfield, Conn.) was in 55^th for a 16:07 performance.

Meanwhile, with the purpose of the day being to get a final tune-up ahead of championship season, the women's team elected to enter its runners in the sub-varsity 3k race at CCSU, where the Ravens finished second, out of eight teams. First for the women was junior Meghan Sheline (Southington, Conn.), who took ninth in a 62-runner field for her 11:10 time. She was followed directly by graduate student Saylee Missell (Stafford Springs, Conn.), who claimed 10^th for her 11:13 time. In 16^th was graduate student Alana Thompson (Westampton, N.J.) with an 11:27 time. Senior Victoria Van Houten (Wantage, N.J.) was the 27^th finisher after racing a time of 11:38. Junior Jasmin Baillargeon (South Wheelock, Vt.) was next, in 33^rd for her 11:49 time.

Graduate student Alena Masterson (Pelham, N.H.) ran a time of 11:55 to take 36^th. The 42^nd finisher was senior Meagan Foley (Beverly, Mass.), who crossed after 12:10. Junior Katie Peterson (Derry, N.H.) ran a time of 12:46 to take 51^st. In 53^rd was junior Emma Cutter (Newburyport, Mass.), who took a time of 12:57. Finally, junior Kelsey Gregorio (New Boston, N.H.) was in 61^st for her 15:32 time.

As mentioned above, the meet was the final pre-championship tune-up for the Ravens, who have an open weekend next week, before getting down to the season's serious business. The Northeast-10 Championship is set for Sunday, Nov. 6, in Colchester, Vt., with the NCAA Championship East Regional to follow on Saturday, Nov. 19, in Garden City, N.Y.