Hughes, Sardelli lead Seahawks in season-opener

BRISTOL, R.I. – Senior captain Sean Hughes (Old Saybrook, Conn.) and sophomore Andrew Sardelli (Hope Valley, R.I.) led the way as Salve Regina finished eighth of 14 teams in the Roger Williams Invitational at Colt State Park on Saturday.

Hughes and Sardelli worked in tandem in the opening mile of the 5K course, running side by side during the first loop through the woods and trails. The two kept contact as they emerged from the second loop of the woods, but Hughes surged through the closing 800 meters to finish at 17:09. Sardelli crossed the finish line at 17:41.

Junior captain Billy Martin (West Islip, N.Y.), sophomore Austin Sattler (Guilford, Conn.) and junior Kevin Onofreo (Middlefield, Conn.) made up the rest of the scoring pack for Salve Regina, finishing at 18:33, 18:39 and 18:46. Sophomore Dave Napierkowski (Cheshire, Conn.) and junior captain Jay Brennan (North Haven, Conn.) ran at No. 6 and No. 7, crossing at 18:46 and 18:47.

"This race was a good test for us," said head coach Rob McGuinness. "It's early in the season, but we're continuing to make good progress. Sean and Andrew are working well together, and Billy will soon rejoin them at the front of our pack. Austin, Kevin, Dave and Jay are already in good shape, and they'll only get better."

Senior captain Slater Roosa (Woodbury, Conn.) finished just outside of the top seven at 18:48, while freshman Tyler Lancaster (Warwick, R.I.) crossed the finish line at 18:52 in his collegiate racing debut.

Brandeis University placed four scorers in the top 10 en route to winning the team title with a score of 40 points. Franklin Pierce was second with 43 points. Gordon College sophomore Damon Kilgore was the individual winner with a time of 16:12.

Other Salve Regina finishers included:

Sophomore John Lutz (Ringwood, N.J.) – 19:21
Junior Anthony Tandy (Hopedale, Mass.) – 19:37
Sophomore Collin Travassos (Barrington, R.I.) – 19:54
Senior Matt Sinkewicz (Colchester, Conn.) – 21:32
Sophomore Neil Sheehan (Methuen, Mass.) – 22:04
Senior Dean Wollenberg (Hopkinton, R.I.) – 23:26

Salve Regina returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 12 at the Trinity Invitational at Wickham Park in Manchester, Conn.

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Written by Rob McGuinness