Scherf’s performance on Saturday was followed by strong showings from a trio of sophomores. Sarah Bourne finished the 6K course 24th overall with a time of 22:50.1, Eliza Gardiner finished in 23:28.7, and Lauren Walker finished in 23:31.5. Freshman Tara Bryant closed out the scoring for the Crimson, crossing in 23:52.0.
These performances placed Harvard seventh in a highly competitive meet that saw Ivy League teams take five of the top seven positions in the 23-team field.
Last year at this meet, Scherf broke onto the scene with a fourth-place finish in her first collegiate competition, leading the team to a sixth-place finish.
This year, the men’s team placed eighth out of a competitive field that featured 11-time national champion and perennial powerhouse No. 3 Arkansas and the hosting No. 6 Gaels.
Harvard sophomore Ryan Hafer led the Crimson with a time of 25:41.8 and a 24th-place finish. Junior Sean Barrett finished 43rd in 25:55.1, while sophomore Brian Holmquest ended the day 53rd overall with a time of 26:05.2.
Juniors Peter Mullen and Kevin Lyons crossed the line in 26:32.3 and 26:52.1, respectively.
Iona senior Richard Kiplagat won the 8K race in 23:54.4, followed by an overpowering Razorback pack sweeping places 2-6 for a remarkable score of 20 points.
This coming weekend, the cross country teams travel to New Haven for a meet at Yale and for the women, a tri-meet featuring No. 18 Princeton.
—ANDREW R. MOORE