Seahawks take title at Tri-State Invitational

LINCOLN, R.I. – Salve Regina placed its entire scoring five inside the top 10 to win the Tri-State Invitational at the Community College of Rhode Island on Saturday. The Seahawks finished with a team score of 29, 30 points ahead of runner-up Eastern Connecticut State University. 

Junior Aubrey Palmquist (Bristol, Conn.) led the charge for Salve Regina, finishing third overall in a time of 20:09. Palmquist opened the race with a 6:25 mile and held steady throughout on the 5,000-meter grass and trail course, contending with Haley Chamberlain of Framingham State and Shauntel Farland of Bridgewater State. Chamberlain won the race in 20:02; Farland was second at 20:05. 

"Aubrey put herself in a good competitive position today, and she never lost contact with the leaders," said head coach Rob McGuinness. "Six months ago, we wondered if she'd even have a competitive fall season. To see Aubrey battling with the lead pack – in any race – is a real credit to the work that she's done to come back from knee surgery. Aubrey is as good now – if not better – than she ever has been."

The remaining Seahawk scorers quickly closed out the meet, finishing fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth overall. Freshman Olivia Wilson (Bethel, Conn.) ran at No. 2, crossing the finish line at 20:30. Junior Jackie Ofria (Manchester, Conn.) was next at 20:37, followed by freshman Alexa Cipkas (Granby, Conn.) at 20:38 and junior Shannon Holden (Hingham, Mass.) at 20:58. 

Sophomore Alannah O'Rourke (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) was the No. 6 runner for Salve Regina, finishing ninth overall in 21:03, and sophomore Taylor Ricker (Rocky Point, N.Y.) ran at No. 7, finishing at 21:18.  The Seahawks went on to place five  additional runners inside the top 25. 

"We performed according to our plan today, and I am especially encouraged to see Olivia, Jackie, Alexa and Shannon running so well in contributing roles," McGuinness said. "I've challenged the athletes who usually run at No. 4 to No. 9 to step outside of their comfort zones in the last two meets. They've all responded well." 

Other Salve Regina finishers included:

Junior Joelle Ross (Simsbury, Conn.) – 21:24
Sophomore Nicole Schafer (Manorville, N.Y.) – 21:35
Sophomore Jessica Graham (Lowell, Mass.) – 21:51
Freshman Laura Cooper (Pearl River, N.Y.) – 21:55
Freshman Hannah Lussier (Belchertown, Mass.) – 21:57
Junior Lea Cure (Altamont, N.Y.) – 22:34
Sophomore Sam Gisonni (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) – 22:48
Junior Tori Maxson (Old Saybrook, Conn.) – 23:16
Sophomore Casey Devaney (Mahwah, N.J.) – 23:25
Junior Rachel Pyne (Foxboro, Mass.) – 23:39
Junior Sam MacCallum (Northwood, N.H.) – 25:54
Sophomore Kathleen Munoz (California) – 27:53
Junior Samantha Stratford (Needham, Mass.) – 30:23 

Click here for complete race results. 

The Seahawks return to action at the Golden Bear Invitational at Western New England University on October 18. 

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Courtesy of Rob McGuinness