BOSTON – Suffolk men's cross country kept bragging rights on Beacon Hill as the Rams defeated Emerson in the fifth-annual Battle for Boston Commons Saturday at Franklin Park, 16-43.
Since 2018, Suffolk and Emerson have raced one another in a friendly, neighborly competition. The Rams have taken home every title since the inaugural race five years ago. Runners in blue-and-gold claimed the first four spots in the 14-runner field to keep the trophy.
Luke Sikora outran the entire field, finishing the 8k-course in 26:38, seconds faster than teammate Jacob Dubin, who clocked a 27:05. Cam Fredette came through the finisher's chute nine seconds after Dubin to round out the top three.
Connor Hawyard's 27:44 put the junior in fourth. Emerson's Oliver Glass slipped into the fifth spot with a 27:55 with Conor Garrity securing sixth behind a time of 28:46.
Evan Wright (29:26) and Selvin Backert (30:14) completed the blue-and-gold runners on the course.
The event was part of the Suffolk Invitational, the Rams annual meet at Franklin Park. This year, both the Battle for Boston Commons and the invite served as final prep for Suffolk before the 2023 CCC Championship, which is on tap for Saturday, oct. 29 at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts.
