Four named captains for women's cross country

NEWPORT, R.I. – Seniors Alex Demeo (Burlington, Mass.), Molly Kittler (Pittsfield, Mass.) and Annie Mozzer (Agawam, Mass.) and junior Olivia Owen (Weymouth, Mass.) have been named captains of the Salve Regina University women's cross country team for the 2018 season.

Demeo, who also served as a captain during the 2017 campaign, is one of the most accomplished distance runners on the roster. She shares the program record for aggregate time at 6,000 meters and is a former All-Commonwealth Coast Conference honoree in cross country. Demeo also holds the program record for 10,000 meters on the track, and has earned All-New England honors at that distance.

Owen is among the more formidable competitors on the team, having played a varsity role since her arrival in Newport two years ago. She was named the team's Most Improved Runner in 2017, moving from No. 7 to No. 3 in the lineup and joining Demeo as one of the team's top runners. She capped a successful spring track campaign with All-New England honors at 10,000 meters.

Mozzer earned a spot in the varsity lineup last fall, demonstrating considerable improvement in only her second season of cross country. She appeared in both postseason meets and had an 83-second personal best at 6,000 meters in the NCAA Division III New England Regional Championship.

Kittler has emerged as one of the natural leaders on the team. Her friendly, outgoing personality and sense of humor have been invaluable in maintaining a positive training environment and building a strong team dynamic.

"Each one of our captains has demonstrated an ability to lead in different ways, whether by setting an example, setting a pace, or by doing the little things that make our team better," said head coach Rob McGuinness. "These captains have already made an incredibly positive impression, and I am eager to see what they will do this fall."

The Seahawks open their season on Friday afternoon at the Roger Williams Invitational.