Seahawks compete at USATF New England Championship
BOSTON – Eight Seahawks toed the starting line at historic Franklin Park on Sunday morning, representing Salve Regina in the USA Track & Field New England Cross Country Championship. The meet often features some of the most accomplished post-collegiate and club runners in the region.
Annie Rodenfels and Abbey Wheeler, both of the Boston Athletic Association's High Performance Team, raced to a commanding lead and a 1-2 finish on the 6K course. Rodenfels, who competed in the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 3,000m steeplechase, was first across the line in 20:25. Wheeler, a four-time All-American at Providence College, finished second at 20:31.
Allie Hackett (fourth, 22:21), Hannah Rowe (fifth, 22:22) and Courtney Hawkins (ninth, 22:45) helped Team BAA close out a convincing win. The BAA squad finished with a score of 20, well ahead of the Battle Road Track Club (58) and the Tracksmith Hare Athletic Club (69).
The Salve Regina lineup included harriers who most often ran at No. 8 through No. 14 this fall. That group was afforded a unique postseason racing opportunity that also served as a way to select a seventh runner for the upcoming NCAA Division III Mideast Regional Championship.
Junior Jenna French (Milford, Conn.) and sophomore Kaelyn Fidrocki (Weymouth, Mass.) set the pace for the Seahawks, with French pulling ahead of Fidrocki after the opening loop of the course. French went on to earn the final spot in the regional meet, while Fidrocki will be the team's first alternate.
Salve Regina performances included:
85. Jenna French – 27:32
90. Kaelyn Fidrocki – 28:02
92. Taryn Terracino – 28:25
93. Olivia Forbes – 28:36
96. Lindsey Sirois – 28:47
99. Bridget Esposito – 29:16
104. Sarah Hauptman – 29:21
105. Paige McDade – 29:22
There were 135 runners and 12 complete teams in the field.
The Seahawks close out their fall racing campaign at the NCAA Division III Mideast Regional Championship on Saturday. The championship for the newly realigned Mideast Region will be run at Harkness State Park in Waterford, Conn.
