Posted: Aug 31, 2017

Captains ready to make another run at program history

Alexa Cipkas, Alex Demeo, Hannah Lussier, and Olivia Wilson lead Salve Regina women's cross country in 2017.

NEWPORT, R.I. – The captains of Salve Regina women's cross country team have run in their share of big meets and rewritten several program records in the process. Seniors Alexa Cipkas (Granby, Conn.), Hannah Lussier (Belchertown, Mass.) and Olivia Wilson (Bethel, Conn.) and junior Alex Demeo (Burlington, Mass.) are aiming to make history again this fall.

Wilson holds a share of the program records for aggregate time at 5,000 meters and 6,000 meters, and her personal best at 6,000 meters stands at No. 8 on the program's all-time list. She is a veteran of the last three NCAA Division III New England Regional Championships and has been a varsity regular throughout her years in Newport.

Cipkas has appeared in two NCAA Division III New England Regional Championships and has been a steady varsity contributor during her time on the team. She is also part of the lineup that holds the program record for aggregate time at 5,000 meters. Cipkas and Wilson shared the team's Rookie of the Year Award in 2014.

Lussier earned postseason appearances in 2015 and 2016, representing the program in the ECAC Division III Cross Country Championships. She has demonstrated improvement at 5,000 meters and 6,000 meters over the last three years.

Demeo is a veteran of the last two NCAA Division III New England Regional Championships and also holds a share of the program record for aggregate time at 6,000 meters. Her personal best at 6,000 meters stands among the top 30 on the all-time list. She is a formidable competitor on the track, earning All-New England honors and setting a new university record at 10,000 meters in 2017.

"This leadership team has accomplished a great deal in the last few years, and I am confident that Olivia, Alexa, Hannah and Alex will lead their teammates to great success this fall," said head coach Rob McGuinness. "They know what it takes to perform well in major meets, and they have all made tremendous improvements during their time on the team. I know I can count on them to set an example for excellence, on and off the course."

The Seahawks open their season at the Roger Williams Invitational on Sept. 2.