BOSTON, Mass. – After a strong freshman year, Bentley University sophomore Caitlin Burmester (Willow Grove, Pa./Upper Dublin HS) picked up where she left off during the season-opening Suffolk Short Course Classic at Franklin Pierce Friday afternoon.

Burmester was 30^th in a field of 125 overall and third among non-Division I runners with a time of 12:05 over the 3.1 kilometer course. The top non-Division I runner, Caitlin Boufford of Roger Williams, was just a second in front of her.

Next across the finish line for the Falcons was sophomore Brooke Neri (Westbrook, Maine/Westbrook HS), 56^th overall in 13:04. Junior Anna Jones (Ipswich/Ipswich HS), with a time of 13:30, followed in 66^th.

Northeastern University, which had the first three finishers, claimed the team title with 16 points. Boston University and Brown were second and third, respectively, with 56 and 66 points. Bentley posted a score of 286.

For individual honors, Ava Duggan edged Tessa McClain by a second with a winning time of 10:32.

Bentley's next meet is the Central Connecticut Ted Owens Invitational Sept. 24.