Fitchburg State Improves At Keene State Invitational

Kibler and Boudreau earn top times for Falcons

KEENE. N.H. (October 3, 2009) - The Fitchburg State cross country team traveled to Keene State College this afternoon as it participated in the 15th annual Keene State Invitational. The men's team posted a respectable eighth place finish with 243 points, while the women placed 11th with 298.

Sophomore Chris Kibler (Bath, Maine/Morse) led the Falcons to a solid team finish  on the flat, but technical Keene course, posting a quick time of 27:19. Senior Kyle Schaeffer (Hudson, Mass./Hudson) followed Kibler into the shoot with a time of 27:40, while junior Matt Spano (Gardner, Mass./Gardner) inched right behind him at 27:53. Freshmen Pat Lucas (Attleboro, Mass./Bishop Feehan) and Mike Grasela (New Bedford, Mass./New Bedford) rounded out the men's top-five with 28:19 and 29:18 efforts respectively.

The Fitchburg State women's team looked strong, knocking off 56 seconds from its total time last season. Graduate Rachel Boudreau (Westport, Mass./Westport) ran strong after a two week hiatus, leading the Falcons with a solid 21:40 time. Rookie Emily Lane (Clinton, Conn./The Morgan School) followed Boudreau at 21:58 and while senior Linda Fortunato (Feeding Hills, Mass./Agawam) wrapped another solid week with a time of 22:05. Sophomore Katelyn Page (Beverly, Mass./Beverly) and senior Stephanie Jarvis (Hopedale, Mass./Hopedale) rounded out the women's top-five with marks of 22:37 and 22:52 respectively.

The Fitchburg State men's and women's cross country teams will travel to Boston next week to compete in the All-New England Championships at Franklin Park.

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