Seahawk trio sets pace in Tri-State Invitational win
LINCOLN, R.I. – Salve Regina University senior Olivia Wilson (Bethel, Conn.) surged into the lead in the final mile, winning the individual championship and leading Salve Regina to the team title in the Tri-State Invitational at the Community College of Rhode Island.
Wilson ran most of the race with teammates Alex Demeo (Burlington, Mass.) and Olivia Owen (Weymouth, Mass), who finished second and third, respectively, in the field of 74 runners. The Seahawk trio split the first mile at 6:14, setting the pace and placing themselves firmly in the lead. By the second mile, Wilson, Demeo and Owen held a 20-second advantage over the rest of the field.
Demeo held the top spot – with Wilson and Owen trailing just behind – as the leaders emerged from the trails to climb the long, gradual hill that highlights the third mile of the grass-and-trail course. Wilson took charge in the final 600 meters, overtaking Demeo and sprinting through the finishing loop around the athletic fields on the Flanagan Campus. Wilson crossed the finish line at 19:43.32 to claim her first collegiate invitational win.
Sophomore Cianna Lynch (Cranston, R.I.) and senior Alexa Cipkas (Granby, Conn.) closed out the scoring for Salve Regina, with freshmen Sydney DeCesare (Johnston, R.I.) and Fran Moore (Old Saybrook, Conn.) also playing varsity roles. The Seahawks placed all five scorers – and all seven varsity runners – inside the top 15 to capture the team championship with a score of 27. Emmanuel College finished second with 58 points, and Johnson & Wales University placed third with 71.
"This was another excellent example of teamwork and execution on a race strategy. Olivia, Alex and Liv did a fine job of pacing and communicating throughout the race," said head coach Rob McGuinness. "I am encouraged to see our other varsity runners coming along so well. Cianna and Alexa look better each week, and Sydney and Fran have established themselves as regular contributors."
The victory on Saturday marks the Seahawks' third win in four years at the Tri-State Invitational, and the second time in four years that a Salve Regina runner has earned the individual championship. The Seahawks also won the meet in 2014 and 2016.
Salve Regina results, 5K:
1. Olivia Wilson – 19:43.32
2. Alex Demeo – 20:02.55
3. Olivia Owen – 20:09.23
10. Cianna Lynch – 21:15.69
11. Alexa Cipkas – 21:33.92
12. Sydney DeCesare – 21:36.37
14. Francesca Moore – 21:43.70
15. Annie Mozzer – 21:45.28
18. Kat Bruce – 21:54.34
23. Rachel Sandri – 22:17.70
24. Hannah Lussier – 22:20.01
28. Jillian LeBeau – 22:40.42
32. Emily Riley – 22:58.04
43. Aoife Duffy – 24:42.22
46. Katie Gillespie – 25:01.68
53. Mabelitza Guzman – 25:40.67
The Seahawks return to action at the Connecticut College Invitational on Oct. 14.
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(Courtesy of Rob McGuinness)