WESTFIELD,  Mass. –– The Westfield State University women’s cross country team placed third in the 15th Annual James Early cross country invitational held Saturday, Oct. 9, at Stanley Park.

The Owls totaled 135 points in the 31-team meet, trailing Vassar (28) and Trinity (63).

There was a large field of 311 runners in the annual invitational, with Vassar’s Johanna Spangler winning the individual title with a time of 18:29.68 on the 5K course.

Trinity’s Bridget Tevan was second (18:397), followed by Vassar’s Aubree Piepmeier (18:53.86) and Kelly Holmes (18:55.85), and Bridgewater junior Molly Rouillard (19:03.70).

Westfield’s top finisher was senior Rachel Dionne (Feeding Hills), who placed 18th in 19:41.16. She was followed by freshman Caitlin Ryan (23rd), sophomore Rachel Cardin (28th), junior Marissa Bonito (30th) and sophomore Lynsay Wray (36th).

The Colonels were led by senior Kendra Lapierre (Hollis, NH), who finished in 144th place with a time of 22:34. Other Curry finishers were junior Kelly Johnson (Burlington, Mass.), 23:31, (personal best,185th),senior Kimberly DeCosta (Hudson, NH), 24:55 (238th), sophomore Amanda Ledin (Stoughton, MA), 25:41 (248th), and freshman Alexandria Hislop (Pembroke, MA), 35:16 (personal best, 307th).

Curry returns to action on Saturday October 15, heading to Boston, Mass. to participate in the Emmanuel College Invitational at 4:00 p.m.

(Release courtesy of Westfield State University Sports Information)