The Harvard mens and womens cross country teams both had very strong showings yesterday at the Boston College Invitational at Franklin Park in Boston.

The Crimson men were led to a second-place finish by the strong teamwork of senior captain John Friedman and junior Nathan Shenk-Boright, who both recorded top-10 finishes. The women, on the strength of five top-25 finishes, placed third.

We have put in a lot of work, Friedman said, and its starting to show.

Harvards men faced steep competition against the likes of the University of New Hampshire, Boston College and Providence College.

The Friars showed their dominance yesterday, as its runners claimed the top four finishes in the race. Their first-place overall finish was a surprise to few who follow collegiate cross country; Providence won last years Big East Championship and is off to a fast start this year, led by All-American Hamish Thorpe.

For Harvard, Friedman came in fifth overall, posting a time of 24:55.6. He was followed immediately by Shenk-Boright, who was sixth in a time of 25:01.5.

We work together during the race, Friedman said.

Friedman added that he and Shenk-Boright were together for about four miles of the five-mile race.