Fitchburg State Runs At Keene State Invitational

Men finish third overall with 89 points; women place fifth with 137 points

KEENE, N.H. (September 4, 2010) –The Fitchburg State men’s and women’s cross country teams were in action this afternoon as it participated at the Keene State Invitational hosted by Keene State College.

The Fitchburg State men’s team registered a third place finish, posting 89 points over the 5K layout, while the ladies finished fifth overall with 137 points through their two mile run.

Junior Chris Kibler (Bath, Maine/Morse) led all Falcons runners, finishing fourth overall with a time of 16:24, while senior Matt Spano (Hudson, Mass./) placed 15th with a time of 17:05. Sophomore Will Lary (Winchendon, Mass./Murdock) ran strong for the Falcons with a time of 17:56, while classmate Mike Grasela (New Bedford, Mass./New Bedford) and freshman Chris Ross (Brookfield, Mass./Tantasqua Regional) nailed down the Fitchburg State top five with time of 18:22 and 18:57 respectively.

On the women’s side, graduate Linda Fortunato (Feeding Hills, Mass./Agawam) led all lady runners, placing 19th overall with a time of 13:33. Sophomore Emily Lane (Clinton, Conn./The Morgan School) followed Fortunato closely, finishing 21st with a  time of 13:43, while junior Katie Page (Beverly, Mass./Beverly) clocked in with a time of 14:09. Senior Erin Abbott (Warwick, Mass./Pioneer Valley) and junior Katy Scott (Wilbraham, Mass./Minnechaug) wrapped up the Falcons top five ladies with times of 15:26 and 15:44.

The Fitchburg State cross country teams will be back in action next Friday as they host the Jim Sheehan Memorial at Coggshall Park starting at 4 p.m.