Boston College Athletics
Cross Country Makes Debut at BC Inviational
September 11, 2010 | Men's Track & Field
Sept. 11, 2010
Complete BC Invitational Results 
The Boston College cross country programs opened their season Saturday as host of the BC Invitational at Franklin Park in Boston, Mass. The men were led by freshman duo Joseph McConaughy and Anthony Bellitti who came in at 26:14 and 26:19, respectively, over eight kilometers.
"Overall, it was a good day," head coach Matt Kerr stated. "I saw some really good things out there and I think we will be pretty strong this year. McConaughy and Bellitti both performed really strong in their first collegiate race. They did really well; better than some of our top-five did at this point last season. With their addition to the program, we are going to be a lot deeper this season. With a lot of good veterans to chase, the adjustment to the college level should be easy for them."
Boston College sent six underclassmen to the line at the meet. In addition to Bellitti and McConaughy, freshman Ben Pare and sophomores James Glover, Nahed Lakkis and Jack Linehan competed in their first meet for the Eagles.
"Coming into today, we looked at this meet as a purely developmental competition," Kerr stated. "Most of the guys have never run 8,000 meters in a cross country meet. Some guys start to feel their legs two miles into the race. In high school, the course only lasts one more mile, so they can push through it. If the same thing happens in an 8K, it's not even half way through the race and will make a huge difference in their performance. It's a big jump for a young runner and it's something they need to do a few times before they get used to the distance and speed of the races. "
With most of the Eagle lineup getting their first taste of collegiate competition, veterans senior Andrew MacIsaac and junior Akash Chougule each turned in personal record performances.
Collectively, Boston College took eighth in the team competition with a total of 179 points.
"The team score today is not indicative of what we will accomplish this season," head coach Matt Kerr said. "Depth is huge for a roster. Depth makes for a more competitive environment. With 10 guys filling 10 spots, teams wind up going through the motions. This year we have 20-plus guys battling for 10 spots on top of our more experienced group. Combining experience and depth does great things for a program."
The Eagles will compete next at the Purple Valley Classic in Williamstown, Mass. at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25.
BC Invitational Results
Men's Top Finisher:
1. 24:51 - Riley Masters, Maine
Boston College Times:
26. 26:14 - Joseph McConaughy
28. 26:19 - Anthony Bellitti
42. 26:48 - Jack Linehan
45. 26:50 - Andrew MacIsaac
47. 26:53 - Akash Chougule
48. 26:55 - Corey Ahern
54. 27:09 - James Glover
67. 27:36 - Ben Pare
71. 27:39 - Jack Shannon
87. 28:46 - Nahed Lakkis
Team Finishes - Points:
1. Northeastern - 29
2. Albany - 43
3. Maine - 94
4. Boston University - 132
5. Brown - 134
6. New Hampshire - 153
7. Stony Brook - 177
8. Boston College - 179
9. Rhode Island - 247
