Hughes among early finishers at James Early Invitational

WESTFIELD, Mass. - Freshman Sean Hughes (Old Saybrook, Conn.) led the way for Salve Regina in the James Earley Invitational at Westfield State University. Hughes finished 53rd in a field of more than 400 runners, and the Seahawks placed 31st out of 40 teams.

Hughes covered the 8,000 meter course at Stanley Park in 27:46 in a race that included strong regional competition. Westfield State is the host site for the NCAA Division III New England Regional Championship next month, and the James Early Invitational drew a number of teams looking to preview the course.

Middlebury, ranked No. 13 in the nation and No. 4 in New England, won handily with a 1-3-4-5-10 finish and a team score of 23. Amherst, ranked No. 28 in the nation and No. 6 in New England, was second with 111 points. Connecticut College, No. 10 in New England, was third with 140.

Freshman Timothy Roosa (Woodbury, Conn.) was the Seahawks' second man, finishing in 33:24.

Sophomore Jack Simpson (Lynn, Mass.), senior Michael Stankus (Cropseyville, N.Y.), and freshman Ben Campbell (R.I.) were the other scorers, with times of 34:27, 34:51 and 35:39.

Freshman Josh Critchley (Torrington, Conn.) ran 35:44 and freshman Matt Sinkewicz (Colchester, Conn.) ran 36:48 in the No. 6 and No. 7 spots. Freshman Dean Wollenberg (Hopkinton, R.I.) finished in 38:42.

The team returns to action on October 13 at the Western New England Invitational.