CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Although only in their first year of existence the Lesley University cross-country team has already made a big splash in the Northeast.  Both the men's and the women's team have had great starts and have already gathered some hardware.

In the first race of the season Francis Cusick (Lexington, Mass.) won the Smith College Invitational in his first ever collegiate race.  Frannie has gone on to set personal records almost every race this season and is leading an emerging Male Lynx cross-country squad. 

The women have also had a strong start although not quite the immediate impact that the men have.  However, the women have a very strong core of runners led by Caitie O'Donnell (Olympia, Wash.).  Both the men and women's team have worked hard all year and looked towards the Saints Invitational at Franklin Park as a race where they could excel.

On a beautiful, crisp fall day at Franklin Park, Lesley University made their way to the top with lead runners, Cusick and O'Donnell both finishing second in their respective races.  His second place finish at the Saints Invitational is only a pre-cursor to his ultimate goal at the NAC Championships on October 28^th.  O'Donnell has slowly emerged as the women's front runner and made it known through out the race at the Saints Invitational last Friday.  There was terrific showing by the rest of the squad as Sadie Lloyd (Brooks, Me.), Bryon Hefner (Norwood, Mass.) and Matt Hunt (Dracut, Mass.) all recorded their personal best times.  Heidi Cooper (Bass River, Mass.) made her way to the finish line although she has been struggling with an ankle injury.

To learn more about the Lesley University cross-country team, please visit their website.