Ephs take second in Panther Invite

Complete Results

MIDDLEBURY, VT -- A group of 14 Ephs traveled to Middlebury College today to compete in the Panther Invitational. Pacing themselves smartly through the 5k race, the Ephs cruised to second out of six teams in the meet despite the absence of many team members.

The crisp, sunny afternoon was perfect for racing, and the Williams women made the most of the gorgeous weather, placing four runners in the top 15 but unfortunately falling to a tight pack of Panthers, who claimed the top eight spots.

Ariel Williams ’10 ran a smooth race to finish first for the Ephs in a time of 19:36. Today’s race was Williams’s first cross-country race since her freshman year, as she was injured sophomore year and studying abroad last year—her comeback makes for a strong season outlook. First-year Celeste Berg showed great prospects for races to come, running a 19:37 and finishing just one second behind Williams in her college cross-country debut.

Rounding out the top 15 were Elleree Erdos ’12, in 20:21, and Jane Manfred ’10, in 20:26. Manfred had an outstanding race, achieving her first cross-country personal best in four years and cutting 11 seconds off of her previous record.
Grace Babula ’10 claimed 17th in 20:39, with another group of Ephs not far behind; Marijke DeVos ’11, Emily Niehaus ’12, Megan Holmes ’11, Allegra Hyde ’10, Jessica Ray ’10 and Amanda Huey ’10 all finished within 56 seconds of one another.

Finishing just 15 seconds apart were trackie-turned-harrier Maya Harakawa ’12 and first-year Effua Sosoo, with Sarah Lyon ’13 close behind.

The Ephs look ahead to next weekend, when they will host the Purple Valley Invitational at Mount Greylock High School. The full roster will compete next weekend in either a 5k open, 6k women’s or 8k men’s race.