The Dartmouth cross country teams were tempered as they ran their first stiff contest Saturday in Boston.
The Boston Invitational boasted traditionally strong running teams such as Providence, Life College, and Villanova.
Dartmouth struggled slightly against that competition, but in the end, the women finished second and the men fifth.
Boston was a most important meet for the women, who faced powerhouse Villanova, while for the men, the race experience was the greatest trophy to be reaped.
Although the race was not too significant, runner Chris Langan '96 was looking forward to Boston,
"It's a nice flat course which should be conducive to fast times," Langan said.
The profile of the course paid off for John Dwyer '96 who ran a stunning race placing second. Dwyer finished in a fleet 23:53.
FreshmanArnold Song also took advantage of the fast course,finishing fifth for Dartmouth
Overall, though, Dartmouth was not sharp.Apart from Song and Dwyer, the other harriers were bland.But the Big Green know they can overcome this lackluster performance.
"We are not going to be favored at the Hepts," Don Conrad '99 said about losing to Harvard and Navy. "We expect to surprise some people."
For the women, who faced the top-ranked team in the nation, Villanova, the Big Green were unable to break through into the top places.
Villanova clinched the race by seizing the top three places, led by Jean Ryan and Krista Sullivan who finished together in 16:59.Dartmouth was quick to respond, capturing the next three spots.
The effort was not enough to hold off the nation's top team.Villanova won with 23 points to Dartmouth's 42.
But the Dartmouth women may have won what they were really running for in Boston -- recognition from the NCAA selection committee.
By running a strong team race Dartmouth's women may have turned some heads.
Dartmouth's first pack of three finished within 15 seconds of each other. Maribel Sanchez '96 ran in a time of 17:21, and she was followed by Kristin Manwaring '96 in 17:25 and Jenna Rogers '98 in 17:36.
Coach Ellen O'Neil had bittersweet emotions about the race.
"I was somewhat disappointed [on the loss]; on the other hand I have to be realistic," O'Neil said. "I can't be disappointed when they run that fast."
The women's times on Saturday were equivalent to those which they ran in mid-November last year.The team itself can find room for improvement, though.
Rogers hopes to even out the team by having the times of all seven runners more consistent.
"It would be nice to get the one-seven split well under a minute," Rogers said.
The 18th-ranked Dartmouth women's team returns home next week with a race against Yale.The men's and the women's teams both race the following week at the Maine Invitational.
