KEENE, N.H. – The Northeastern cross country teams opened the 2014 season in style with both the men and women taking first place overall at the KSC Alumni Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 30. The race was scored as a dual meet against UMass Lowell. 
 
This is the second straight year both teams finished first at the season's opening event.
 
The men earned a first place finish with a total score of 18 in their 5k, while the women took home first place with a total score of 17 in their two-mile run. 
 
On the men's side, the Huskies had five runners finish in the top six overall.  Freshmen Ben Trapani and Garrett Scanlon finished first and second, respectively, with times of 16:25 and 16:38.
 
Junior Allen Meringolo clocked in next for NU with a time of 16:41, good for fourth overall. Daniel Condon, also a freshman in the program, took home fifth place with a time of 16:44, while Sophomore Paul Duffey helped secure the win finishing with a time of 16:44, earning sixth place overall.  

"It was exciting to see how well our men's and women's teams looked today," director of track and field and cross country Cathrine Erickson said. "The freshmen Ben Trapani, Garrett Scanlon and Daniel Condon opened up their collegiate careers with a strong showing. I am pleased with how good our group looks and our program is very excited about the upcoming year with such a great group of men and women."

The women, behind a strong performance from senior Kate Johnstone, also took first place at the invitational. The top four finishers of the two-mile race were all Huskies.
 
Johnstone paced the group with a time of 11:17. Following the senior, three freshmen rounded out the top four. Kerri Ruffo, Madeline Bradford and Corinne Myers all contributed to the win with solid finishing times.

Ruffo finished second with a time of 11:44, while Bradford, who clocked in next for NU with a time of 12:09, finished third. Myers, a native of Westwood, New Jersey, took home fourth with a time of 12:18.

"Kate Johnstone has really worked hard during the offseason and it was evident today as she looked great," Erickson said. "The newcomers Kerri Ruffo, Madeline Bradford and Corinne Myers had a great showing for their first collegiate cross country meet. Our staff is very excited about this group and are looking forward to a great year."
 
Northeastern is back in action on Saturday, Sept. 6 at the Nassaney Invitational in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

The Huskies' results can be found below. 

Men:
 

1. Benjamin Trapani	Freshman	16:25
2. Garrett Scanlon	Freshman	16:38
4. Allen Meringolo	Junior	16:41
5. Daniel Condon	Freshman	16:42
6. Paul Duffey	Sophomore	16:44
11. Craig Hammond	Sophomore	17:11
12. Patrick Cunningham	Sophomore	17:19

Women:
 

1. Kate Johnstone	Senior	11:17
2. Kerri Ruffo	Freshman	11:44
3. Madeline Bradford	Freshman	12:09
4. Corinne Myers	Freshman	12:18
7. Rosalie Caracciolo	Sophomore	12:35
8. Daphne Apostolidis	Sophomore	12:36
10. Madison Goldstein	Freshman	13:19