Seahawks finish fourth at Roger Williams Invitational

BRISTOL, R.I. – A solid scoring pack meant a much-improved result for Salve Regina in the Roger Williams Invitational on Saturday. With a 37-second spread among the team's top five and two seconds separating the third, fourth and fifth runners, the Seahawks earned a fourth-place finish in their season-opening meet at Colt State Park on Saturday.

Senior Scott Brewer (Wilbraham, Mass.) and sophomore Brett Jutras (East Bridgewater, Mass.) set the pace for Salve Regina. Jutras led the team during the opening loop of the 5K course, with Brewer taking over the top spot later in the race. Brewer crossed the finish line at 17:32, while Jutras finished at 17:58.

Freshman Aidan Lynch (Little Silver, N.J.), senior Andrew Sardelli (Hope Valley, R.I.) and sophomore Riley Rancourt (Warren, R.I.) quickly completed the scoring within the next 10 seconds, with senior David Napierkowski (Cheshire, Conn.) on their heels. Junior Dan Donnelly (Portsmouth, R.I.) was the seventh man for the Seahawks.

The Salve Regina scorers combined for a time of 1:29:55, which stands as the third fastest aggregate time in program history. The scoring lineup was 38 seconds faster than it was a year ago, when the Seahawks placed seventh in the same meet.

"This was a promising start for our team. Scott looked strong in the top spot, and Brett ran well. I was pleased to see Andrew and Dave leading the pack-running effort throughout the race. We need to work together if we plan to succeed this season, and this group is poised to do it," said head coach Rob McGuinness. "We can build from here."

Salve Regina's performances included:

16. Scott Brewer – 17:32
30. Brett Jutras – 17:58
32. Aidan Lynch – 18:08
33. Andrew Sardelli – 18:08
34. Riley Rancourt – 18:09
35. Dave Napierkowski – 18:10
42. Dan Donnelly – 18:24
58. Chandler Da Cruz – 19:20
64. Brendan Kelly – 19:41
65. Matt Simmons – 19:45
70. Neil Sheehan – 20:10
82. John Lutz – 21:44
87. Jack Farrell – 24:09

There were 88 runners and seven complete teams in the field.

Bridgewater State University placed all five of its scorers in the top 10 to win the team title with a score of 24. Bridgewater freshman Dylan Lynch won the individual title with a time of 16:48.

The Seahawks return to racing on Sept. 16 at the UMass Dartmouth Invitational.