WELLESLEY, Mass. – The Simmons cross country team placed second overall, and had nine runners finish in the top 20 at the 2011 Wellesley Invitational. The 5K event was held on Wellesley's lake course on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

Wellesley senior Molly Shanley took home the individual title, finishing the course in 19:57 to best 31 runners. Classmate Andrea Gumushian took second in 20:37, while Simmons' Shelly Potter (York, Maine) was the third runner across the line, in 20:53.

Wellesley's Eden Bass took fourth overall in 21:06, leading a pack of Wellesley runners. Cailey Stevens was next with a 21:09, good for fifth, while Jane Lodwick and Alexandra Dunn took seventh and eighth in 21:18 and 21:20. Wrapping up the Blue finishers, Taylor Bickford placed 10th overall in a time of 21:54.

Wellesley finished with 18 total points, outpacing runner-up Simmons who recorded 44 points. Wheelock took third with 95 points, edging Saint Joseph College's 97 points.

Simmons was led by Potter's third place finish, while Sharks Moriah Cohen (Bennington, Vt.) and Nicole Chao (Fremont Calif.) also recorded top-10 finishes. Cohen notched a time of 21:32, while Chao finished in 21:33.

For Wheelock, Danielle Gaudette recorded a 15th place finish in 24:00 to lead the Wildcats. Brae Smith finished in 25:48 (20th), while MacKenzie Sherman finished in 25:49 (21st) to solidify their third place team score.

Saint Joseph's top finisher was Julie Pattyson, who took 12th overall in a time of 22:41. Also finishing strong for the Blue Jays was Mary Roto, who took 19th in a time of 25:37.

All four teams will next compete at their respective conference championships. Wellesley is back in action next Sunday, as the Blue host the NEWMAC Championships at Franklin Park in Boston. Wheelock, Saint Joseph, and Simmons will participate in the GNAC Championships in Franklin Park next Saturday.