Men's Cross Country Places Fourth at James Earley Invitational

WESTFIELD, Mass. - The Bridgewater State University men's cross country team finished fourth out of 31 teams at the 16th Annual James Earley Invitational hosted by Westfield State at Stanley Park on Saturday.

With two runners placing in the top ten in the large field of 306 runners, the Bears totaled 142 team points, trailing just MASCAC rival Westfield State (140), the Greater Boston Track Club (102) and team champion Coast Guard (67).

Bridgewater was led by juniors Stephen Wahome (Lowell, Mass.) and David Phipps (Attleboro, Mass.).  Wahome placed third on the 8,000-meter course with a time of 26:02.77, while Phipps posted a sixth place showing crossing the finish line in 26:19.05.

Also running well for the Bears were senior Jeff Sousa (North Dighton, Mass.) and freshman Dallas O'Brien (Mansfield, Mass.).  Sousa completed the course in 27:48.19 to finish 38th overall, while O'Brien was 46th with a time of 37:57.70.  

Salem State senior Alex Gomes won the individual title pacing the field at 25:43.90.