Seahawks push for improvement at CCC Championship
NEWPORT, R.I. – Building on the team's most successful finishes in recent memory, the Salve Regina men's cross country team aims for an improved performance at the Commonwealth Coast Conference Championship on Saturday.
The Seahawks captured two invitational championships this fall. The first win – at the Elms Blazer Cross Country Classic on Sept. 23 – ended a drought dating to 1987, while the second – at the Tri-State Invitational on Sept. 30 – proved that the first was no accident.
Senior Scott Brewer (Wilbraham, Mass.) has run in the No. 1 spot in each of the five invitationals. It has been the most consistent racing of his college career. Freshman Aidan Lynch (Little Silver, N.J.) quickly established himself as a steady contributor, holding the No. 2 spot for most of the fall.
Seniors Andrew Sardelli (Hope Valley, R.I.) and Dave Napierkowski (Cheshire, Conn.) have joined junior Dan Donnelly (Portsmouth, R.I.) and sophomores Riley Rancourt (Warren, R.I.) and Chandler Da Cruz (Middletown, R.I.) as varsity regulars, scoring in interchangeable roles in each of the invitational meets.
"I am proud of the way we have raced this season. Our regular contributors have worked very well together and the atmosphere and attitude at practice has never been better," said head coach Rob McGuinness. "We know what we need to do to reach our goals in the championship meets."
The team aims to improve on a disappointing seventh-place finish in the 2016 Commonwealth Coast Conference Championship. Moving up the ranks will require a consistent performance against several evenly matched opponents.
Gordon College senior Damon Kilgore is the likely favorite for the individual crown, while the Wentworth Institute of Technology aims for a third consecutive team title behind the efforts of seniors Alex Robbins, Patrick Hopkins and Dan McSolla. Senior Zachary Marshall and junior Patrick Finocchiaro lead Endicott College, while senior Nicholas Malone, junior Nick Sasso and freshman Tyler Marchioni are among the regulars for Roger Williams University. Junior Ben Wright, freshman Donovan Duffy and junior Matthew Toussaint are among the frontrunners for the University of New England.
"There is no question as to the high quality of the field in this meet, and there will not be many points separating the teams that finish second, third, fourth or fifth," McGuinness said. "We need to maintain our focus and run a smart race. But I am confident that we can be better this time around."
The University of New England hosts the conference championship meet at Rotary Park on Main Street in Biddeford, Maine, on Saturday. The men race at 1 p.m.
