XC Heads to NEC Championships This Weekend

NEW BRITAIN, CT- The Bryant men's and women's cross country teams will head to Connecticut on Saturday to compete at the NEC Championships.

Senior William Bittrich has been the top finisher for the men at each of the last three meets. He had a finish of 7th in the Vermont Fall Foliage Invite, posting a season best 8k time of 26:29.9. His best 5k time was a 15:13.3 at the CCSU Mini-Meet. Fellow senior Sarah Freeman has led the womens' team at three meets this season, with a best finish of 12th at the Vermont Invite. She ran a season best time of 19:31.5 in the 5k at the NEICAAA New England Championships.

Senior Jason Dolan and junior Julia Ayres have also been top finishers for the Bulldogs this season. Dolan paced the mens' squad at the first two meets of the season, including season bests of 15:40.1 (5k, Nassaney Invitational) and 26:39.9 (8k, NEICAAA). Ayres led the Bulldogs at the CCSU Mini-Meet and the season opening Nassaney Memorial Invitational, where she posted a season best time of 19:26.4. Freshman Ryan Slaney has also been a strong runner for the men, winning NEC Rookie of the Week after finishing 9th at the Vermont Invite with a time of 26:33.9.

Bryant teams finished 4th (men) and 6th (women) at last season's NEC Championships. Jason Dolan placed 11th for the men and Julia Ayres came in 12th for the women.