Owen highlights New England performers with 10K results

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Salve Regina University sophomore Olivia Owen (Weymouth, Mass.) earned All-New England status with her seventh-place finish in the 10,000-meter run at the New England Championships hosted by MIT. This marks the second straight year a Seahawk runner accomplished the honor (Alex Demeo of Burlington, Mass. also qualified during her sophomore season).

The field took a tactical pace from the opening lap, with Alex Demeo of Salve Regina and Mary Eccles of MIT leading the pack for the first 10 laps of the 25-lap race. Eccles took over the pace during the third mile. Her MIT teammate – Bailee Margolis – moved into second place, setting up a 1-2 finish for the Engineers.

In the first half of the race, Owen was as far back as 12 in the field of 18. She began a deliberate move into scoring position during the fourth mile. From 6,000 meters (Lap 15) to 7,200 meters (Lap 18), she moved up to seventh place. Jasmine Higuera Castillo of WPI passed Owen with five laps remaining, but the Salve Regina sophomore regained her position with another decisive move in the final mile. Owen held seventh place for the rest of the race.

From her distance coach, Rob McGuinness: "Liv ran a smart race under difficult conditions. We knew from the outset that this race would not be one to run for time. It is one thing to have a 'Plan B' in mind, but it is another thing to put that plan in motion when the opportunity arises. Liv did exactly that."

"The second half of the race illustrated so much of what makes Liv such a formidable competitor. She seized an opportunity to move up at the right time. She was focused and composed, even when she had to adjust her race plan. And she was relentless when she finally secured a scoring spot."

"Liv works incredibly hard in training. She epitomizes the commitment and dedication needed to be a successful distance runner in our program. Her teammates and I could not be more proud to see Liv earn regional recognition."