After their third meet of the season Saturday at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Invitational, the Eastern Connecticut State University men and women's cross-country teams are in full swing.
Even though both teams were missing some of their top runners because of injury, head coach Kathy Manizza was very proud of her squad. "A lot of the time, the team runs as individuals, but (Saturday) they really ran together as a team. The team chemistry is amazing this year."
The men's team finished 18th out of 28, and the women finished 13th out of 29. Last year at the same meet, the teams finished 28th and 25th, respectively. For the third straight race, first-year sophomore transfer Taylor Flynn (Old Saybook) led the way for the men and junior Kelly Labanara (Chaplin) was first across the line for the women.
Injuries are a big storyline for the cross-country teams. The men's team is missing its top runner from last year. Also, freshman Dustin Plourde (Norwich) aggravated a stress fracture during the race last weekend. For the women, senior Katie France (Portland) has been out all season with an injury.
Coach Manizza hopes everyone will be healthy in time for Little East Conference Championship Nov. 2.
Run over 8,000 meters
(Eastern finished 18th in a field of 28 teams)
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
(210 finishers)
EASTERN'S FINISHERS
78. (72) Taylor Flynn 28:22; 98. (91) Joe Rainville 28:51; 114. (107) Steven LaFlamme 29:09; 140. (127) Michael Dolde 30:13; 154. (139) Mike Underwood 30:44; 169. (152) Dustin Plourde 31:37; 180. (161) Chris Burkle 32:47; 182. (--) Chris Armstrong 32:51.
