NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (September 11, 2021) -- It was a first-place finish for graduate student Bethaney Donnelly (Manchester, United Kingdom) on Saturday, as she led the way for the Franklin Pierce University women's cross country team at the Smith College Invitational. The Ravens finished second out of eight teams, while Donnelly took the win in a field of 68 runners.

Franklin Pierce had an average time of 22:00 and scored 74 points for the day. Host Smith cruised to the victory by posting five of the top-seven finishers on the way to just 22 points for the meet. The Ravens edged Emmanuel (81 points) by seven points for second place. For her part, Donnelly ran the 5k in 18:39 to take a 12-second win from Smith junior Laurel Kruger (18:51).

Next for Franklin Pierce was sophomore Victoria Van Houten (Wantage, N.J.), who claimed 19^th for her 22:03 time. Graduate student Alena Masterson (Pelham, N.H.) was 25^th for her 22:49 time. She was followed by senior Alana Thompson (Westampton, N.J.), who took 26^th for her 23:02 time. Sophomore Meghan Sheline (Southington, Conn.) took 31^st for her 23:29 time, to round out the scoring five for Franklin Pierce on the day.

Behind Sheline, sophomore Jenna Parent (Tyngsboro, Mass.) took 32^nd for her 23:33 time, and junior Alex Collins (Monroe, N.H.) placed 36^th for her 24:03 time.

Also competing was sophomore Jasmin Baillargeon (South Wheelock, Vt.), who took 40^th for her 24:39 time. Finishing out the day for the Ravens was sophomore Kelsey Gregorio (New Boston, N.H.), who took 57^th for her 28:22 time.

The Ravens will be back at it on Saturday, Sept. 18, at the UMass Dartmouth Invitational.