WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University men's cross country team placed 17th at the Purple Valley Invitational hosted by Williams College on Saturday.

Junior captain Jeff Sousa (North Dighton, Mass.) was the top finisher for the Bears as he covered the eight-kilometer layout in 29 minutes and 31 seconds.  Next across the line for BSU was senior captain Ryan D'Arcangelo (Norfolk, Mass.) with a time of 29:53, followed by junior Bill Taft (Hanson, Mass.) at 30:02.

MIT won the team title with Keene State College placing second and Tufts University finishing third.  Middlebury College junior Michael Schmidt posted a winning time of 26:00.

After a weekend off, the Bears will be back in action on Saturday, October 9th when they compete in the James Early Invitational hosted by Westfield State.