Alex Demeo paced the Seahawks in a season-opening race at Colt State Park. (Photo by Ed Habershaw)
Alex Demeo paced the Seahawks in a season-opening race at Colt State Park. (Photo by Ed Habershaw)

Seahawks open season with a win

BRISTOL, R.I. – The Salve Regina University women's cross country team claimed four of the top 10 spots en route to a victory in the Roger Williams Invitational at Colt State Park on Friday.

Senior Alex Demeo (Burlington, Mass.) and junior Olivia Owen (Weymouth, Mass.) were the top finishers for the Seahawks, placing third and fourth, respectively, in the field of 51. Demeo finished the two-mile race at 12:59.58, with Owen just seconds behind at 13:03.77.

Sophomore Sydney DeCesare (Johnston, R.I.) and freshmen Cate Norton (Sandy Hook, Conn.) and Christina Moran (Oceanside, N.Y.) completed the scoring for Salve Regina. DeCesare crossed the finish line at 13:26.65, with Norton and Moran in pursuit. Thirty-seven seconds separated the five Seahawk scorers.

"This meet was a fitting finish to our preseason training and a promising start to our racing season," said head coach Rob McGuinness. "Alex, Liv and Syd are picking up where they left off last fall, and I am especially encouraged to see Cate and Chrissy assume varsity roles in their collegiate debuts. Our future is very bright."

The Seahawks captured the team title with a score of 35. Roger Williams University finished second with 45 points, followed by Bridgewater State University with 73. Roger Williams junior Sarah Mawdsley won the individual championship with a time of 12:37.69.

Salve Regina performances included:
3. Alex Demeo – 12:59.58
4. Olivia Owen – 13:03.77
8. Sydney DeCesare – 13:26.65
9. Cate Norton – 13:31.82
11. Chrissy Moran – 13:36.88
15. Cianna Lynch – 13:51.48
16. Katerina Bruce – 13:58.08
20. Molly Kittler – 14:16.29
24. Ashley Schafer – 14:24.72
26. Annie Mozzer – 14:30.62
29. Francesca Moore – 14:36.95
33. Maggie McCarthy – 14:50.88
35. Aoife Duffy – 14:54.68
36. Rachel Sandri – 15:22.68
38. Meredith Casey – 15:24.46
39. Katy Cassetta – 15:35.75
41. Jillian LeBeau – 15:39.76

The Seahawks return to action on September 15 at the UMass Dartmouth Invitational.