BOSTON and ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The No. 9 women's cross country team successfully competed at two invitationals over the weekend, finishing within the top three on both Friday and Saturday.
 
Racing in the highly competitive Coast-to-Coast Battle in Beantown against the top two teams from last year's NCAA Championships (Oregon and Providence), Cornell came away with an impressive third place finish that included a victory over No. 24 ranked Boston College, which hosted Friday's meet. Cornell also finished ahead of Big 10 power Wisconsin, Division III national champion John Hopkins and Heps rival Yale, among others.
 
The Big Red scored 101 points, just 15 points behind defending national champion Oregon, as the team was able to rally in the second half of the race, yet again demonstrating its credentials as an outstanding team in the home stretch.    
Cornell co-captains Rachel Sorna and Emmy Shearer again led the way for the Big Red in the 5K race.   Through the mile in 5:13, Sorna maintained her position in the lead pack through the final half of the course to place fifth overall in 17:17, tying the school record Hall of Famer Kate Walker '97 set at Franklin Park in November of 1996.  
 
Shearer continued to show great progress while running in the main chase pack ultimately finishing 18th in 17:37, the fifth best time ever by a Cornellian on the 5K course at Franklin Park.  Marianne Collard (23rd, 17:53), Taylor Spillane (26th, 17:57) and Liz Simpson (29th, 17:58) each raced to personal records  while scoring for the Big Red, which enjoyed a 40-second spread from positions one to five.  Claire DeVoe (38th, 18:10) and Devin McMahon (39th, 18:11) rounded out Cornell's top seven.
 
Bori Tozser (41st, 18:14) and Corey Dowe (47th, 18:20) each also set personal bests Friday afternoon. Other members of the Big Red competing in Boston included: Sarah Holl (53rd, 18:25), Kristen Niedrach (57th, 18:27), Dina Iacone (65th, 18:36), Delphi Cleaveland (66th, 18:36), Dale Kinney (69th, 18:45), Syd Williams (71st, 18:48) and Maggi Szpak (84th, 18:59). The field was comprised of 146 finishers.  
 
Race links: VIDEO | Rachel Sorna Interview | RESULTS
 
On Saturday, another contingent of Cornellians competed at the Harry Anderson Invitational at Roberts Wesleyan in Rochester, N.Y.  Taking advantage of excellent conditions in a field of nearly 200 runners, Cornell produced a number of 5K personal bests, en route to a second place team finish, scoring 53 points.  
 
Senior Cara Janeczko finished 7th overall in 18:32.3 with Abbie Bideaux right behind her with a 21-second personal record of 18:34.5 in eighth. Madeline Montague (18:37.8) finished ninth.
 
Posting another Big Red personal record was Kathleen Naeher, who finished 13th in 18:48.2.  Other members who raced at Roberts Wesleyan included: Lauren Lapointe (16th, 19:00.4), Leah Ferrara (28th, 19:21.7), Kate McCormick (29th, 19:22.7), Meghan McCormick (31st, 19:33.1), Ali Foote (36th, 19:39.8), Julie Horwath (41st, 19:48.0), Vrinda Jagota (42nd, 19:50.3), Ailis Clyne (43rd, 19:50.6 - PR), Casey Phlegar (46th, 19:51.9 - PR), Erin Loughlin (49th, 20:01.4) and Kayleigh Lavender (83rd, 20:46.6).
 
RESULTS

The Big Red will return to action on Oct. 5, competing in another nationally competitive meet at Lehigh's Paul Short Invitational.