Seahawks ready to make a run at the CCC title

NEWPORT, R.I. – The Salve Regina women's cross country team has the pieces that it needs for success in the Commonwealth Coast Conference Championship meet on Saturday. It's just a matter of putting all of the pieces together at the right time.

The Seahawks boast two scoring runners from the 2011 championship team, three all-conference runners from 2012, two freshmen in the No. 1 and No. 2 spots in 2013, and lots of depth to complement a strong lineup. 

The Seahawks will travel to Biddeford, Maine, this weekend and attempt to dethrone the defending champion – and host team – University of New England. The Nor'easters took the title last year with nine-point win over Salve Regina. 

In the only meeting of 2013, Salve Regina topped UNE, 33-43, at the UNE Invitational in September. The scoring fives from both squads are evenly matched, and projections point to a single-digit margin of victory, and little room for error. 

"This is going to be a very close race. Every spot counts," said head coach Dave Kraszewski. "If all of our scorers do their jobs, things could go our way. There is no team that I'd rather have going into this meet, and I'm confident that we can get the job done." 

The Seahawks are led by two freshmen – Victoria Varone (Providence, R.I.) and Amy Irving (Bohemia, N.Y.) – who set the pace in four invitational victories this season. Behind them are two returning all-conference runners, senior Ema Waldschmidt (Verbank, N.Y.) and sophomore Aubrey Palmquist (Bristol, Conn.), who finished second and third in the conference meet last year. 

Senior Kayley Ryan (Portland, Conn.), the No. 2 runner on the 2011 CCC championship team and a two-time all-conference selection, has been a consistent contributor this season, and sophomores Joelle Ross (Simsbury, Conn.) and Rachel Gedansky (Tolland, Conn.) finished ninth and 11th in the CCC meet last year. 

Several freshmen have made major contributions in invitational races, including Nicole Schafer (Manorville, N.Y.), Jessica Graham (Lowell, Mass.), Andrea Ricci (Ashford, Conn.), and Alannah O'Rourke (Rockville Centre, N.Y.). All four have spent time in the top seven this season. 

"The real question is: Who will have a breakthrough race?" Kraszewski said. "It happens every year. Someone will step up with a huge performance, and in a race like this one, that could make the difference." 

The women race at noon on Saturday at Rotary Park.