September 30, 2006    /   Final Results  

SMITHFIELD, RI -  In a what proved to be a preview of the upcoming Northeast-10 Conference Cross Country Championships, the Merrimack and Stonehill men's and women's cross country teams captured first place respectively in the men's and women's competition respectively at Saturday's Bryant Invitational.   Bryant, the hosts of the Oct. 22 championships, placed second in the men's 8 kilometer race while the women finished fourth. 

Highlighting the afternoon was the strong running of Bryant junior Nicole Radzik (Sutton, Mass.).  Radzik led throughout but withstood a late charge from Merrimack's Linsey Cohen to win the individual title by the slimmest of margins.  Radzik crossed the line in 20 minutes, six seconds while Cohen was just a step behind in 20:07.  Stonehill's Andrea Topalis was third in 20:31. 

On the men's side, Merrimack placed runners one through three to win handily with 20 team points, well ahead of Bryant which place second with 52 total team points. The Warriors' Adam Johnson was the overall winner, finishing in a time of 27 minutes, 26 seconds while Merrimack's Jefferson Welch (27:37) and Adam Holmes (27:44) were second and third respectively. 

Bryant's Brian Ford (Tewksbury, Mass.) was the top finisher for the Bulldogs, crossing the line in 28:31 for sixth.  Andrew Holmes (Holden, Mass.) was 10th in 28:39. 

Bryant will compete at the New England Championships next weekend.