The BU cross country teams took the field Saturday afternoon with the rest of their conference rivals.
In the end, it was the Boston University women who came out on top, while UMBC ran to victory in the men’s race. The event featured nine total schools and was capped off by a ceremony commemorating the conference’s top runners and coaches.
It was a strong showing by the BU women’s team, which placed fourth overall and had two finishers in the top 10. The men’s team finished a disappointing eighth.
The top runner from the women’s side, once again, was freshman Katie Radzik. She continued her hot streak as she finished third overall, and set a school record with her time of 18:38 on the 5,000-meter course.
“I felt really good,” Radzik said. “I was kinda surprised at how well I did, and I’m also really proud of the team.”
Senior Stacy Kramer finished seventh with a time of 18:51, earning all-conference honors for the second consecutive year.
Topping the men’s side was freshman Ryan Shon, who finished the 8,000-meter course 37th overall, with a time of 27:36.
“I think the men,” Radzik explained, “their main problem is consistency. But that’s to be expected from such a young team. I think they have a lot of room for improvement.”
Freshman Adam Hill, who finished fourth among the Bearcat squad, wasn’t satisfied with his performance.
“I don’t think I did as well as I could have,” Hill said. “I just had a bad race.”
Hill, who was the Bearcats’ top runner at the Binghamton Invitational, had more encouraging things to say about the women, specifically Radzik: “She worked really hard over the summer in preparation, and obviously it’s paid off.”
Up next on the schedule for the Bearcats is the Northeast Regional on Nov. 12.
“I think we’re all improving so that’s a sign that coach is doing the right thing,” Radzik said. “Hopefully we’ll continue to do well.”