ALBANY, N.Y. – Competing for the first time in nearly a month, the Brandeis cross country teams had fine performances at the 45^th Annual University at Albany Invitational. The Judge men came in 5^th out of 21 teams, while the women were 10^th out of 23. Both squads finished ahead of several Division I programs in the process. 

On the men's side, Brandeis's fifth-place finish (164 pts) was second among Division III schools, behind only Middlebury (3^rd place, 89 points), currently ranked No. 6 in nation. The Judges finished just behind the University of New Hampshire (154) but well ahead of sixth-place Colgate (211 points), both Division I teams. Individually, the two senior captains, Chris Brown (No. Chelmsford, Mass./Chelmsford) and Marc Boutin (Westford, Mass./Westford Acad.) led the way, finishing in 18^th and 20^th places, respectively. They finished the 8K course less than two seconds apart in 26:07.8 and 26:09.4, respectively, and were fourth and sixth among DIII runners. Sophomore Taylor Dundas (Bath, Maine/Cheverus) had the team's third-best finish, coming in 37^th with a time of 26:34.6, while junior Alex Kramer (No. Andover, Mass./Andover) just over four seconds later in 40^th place with a time of 26:38.8. Sophomore Ed Colvin (Roslindale, Mass./Catholic Memorial School) rounded out the Brandeis scorers in 51^st place with a time of 26:49.8. Rookies Jarret Harrigan (Ipswich, Mass./St. Johns Prep) – 89^th place, 27:35.0 – and Greg Bray (Duxbury, Mass./Duxbury) – 101^st place, 27:48.8 – were the team's sixth and seventh finishers in their second collegiate race. 

For the women, the Judges were also second among Division III schools with 299 points, with only second-ranked Middlebury (2^nd place, 64 points) ahead of them. The Judges were just five points behind Division I Hartford and were 31 points in front of Div. II Adelphi. Senior Kate Warwick (Boxborough, Mass./Acton-Boxborough) continued to set the pace for the Judges, placing 35^th with a time of 19:02.8 over the 5K course. Warwick was the top Division III runner not from Middlebury. Sophomore Amelia Lundkvist (So. Portland, Maine/Cheverus) was 54^th with a time of 19:26.5. Rookie Miriam Stulin (Needham, Mass./Dana Hall School) continued her fine first season as the team's third runner, finishing 60^th overall in 19:36.9. Sophomore Victoria Sanford (Lagrangeville, N.Y./Arlington) was 90^th overall with a time of 20:26.7 and senior Monique Girard (Billerica, Mass./Billerica Memorial) rounded out the scoring for the Judges with a time of 20:36.2, good for 98^th place.

Brandeis is off for two weeks with the 2011 University Athletic Association championships on Oct. 29 at the University of Chicago next on the schedule.