Posted: Aug 19, 2016

Sardelli, Brewer join Brennan, Martin as men’s cross country captains

2016 captains (l to r): Billy Martin, Jay Brennan, Scott Brewer, Andrew Sardelli

NEWPORT, R.I. – Juniors Andrew Sardelli (Hope Valley, R.I.) and Scott Brewer (Wilbraham, Mass.) have been promoted to captain, joining seniors Jay Brennan (North Haven, Conn.) and Billy Martin (West Islip, N.Y.) on the leadership team for men's cross country.

Martin is among the top runners in the history of the revived cross country program at Salve Regina. His collegiate bests for 5K and 8K are among the top 10 fastest times in school history, and he is part of the lineups that hold school records for combined team time at 5K and 8K. Martin was also a scoring contributor in the lineups that achieved the best conference and regional meet finishes since the men's team was reconstituted in 2005. He was the program's Rookie of the Year in 2013 and shared the team's Runner of the Year award in 2014.

Brennan has been among the team's varsity regulars throughout his career at Salve Regina, earning a reputation for having his best performances when the team needed them most. Brennan ran at the No. 5 spot in the Connecticut College Invitational and the Commonwealth Coast Conference Championship last fall, with a personal-best performance in the latter. He has made multiple postseason appearances and was part of the lineup responsible for the team's all-time best finish in a regional championship meet in 2013.

Sardelli joins the leadership team after spending most of 2015 among the team's scoring five. He earned the team's Most Improved Runner award for his efforts. After establishing himself as a regular contributor in 2014, he carved out a role as a reliable No. 2 runner in 2015 and lowered his personal best for 8K.

Brewer earns a promotion to captain after another steady season in 2015. Like Sardelli, Brewer was among the team's varsity contributors during his freshman season in 2014, making a postseason appearance and improving his 8K times week over week. The 2015 campaign was more of the same, with Brewer posting a new personal best for 8K at the Commonwealth Coast Conference Championship and making another postseason appearance in the NCAA Division III New England Regional Championship.

"Jay and Billy are established leaders, and Andrew and Scott are a good complement for them," said head coach Rob McGuinness. "These guys are heavily invested in the cross country team, which shows in their results. They understand my expectations, and they know the amount of work it will take for the program to continue to improve. They're ready for the challenge, and I am confident that the team is in good hands."

Salve Regina opens its 2016 racing season at the Roger Williams Invitational on Sept. 3.