SMITHFIELD, R.I. - The Roger Williams University Men's Cross Country team opened its season Friday afternoon at the Bryant Invitational. Though competing against some tough competition as the only Division III school in the first, including Division I schools Bryant University, The College of the Holy Cross, Navy, Northeastern University, and the University of New Hampshire, the Hawks managed to hold their own, suggesting this will be another great fall for Hawks' Cross Country.
Leading the way on the men's side was sophomore frontman Mitch Leveille (North Kingstown, R.I.) who placed 22nd out of the 87 runner field, covering the 5-kilometer course in 17 minutes, 20 seconds. Freshman Jack Ferguson (Bethel, Conn.) was next for the Hawks, placing 29th in 17:28. The senior tandem of Jonathan Ellis (Yonkers, N.Y.) and Thomas Maybury (East Longmeadow, Mass.) finished back-to-back in 36th and 37th as they both clocked in at 17:44.
Freshmen Jeremy Kacher (Waltham, Mass.) and Henry Loughlin (Freeport, Maine) were the next two Hawks to cross the finish line, placing 54th and 56th with times of 18:13 and 18:15, respectively, while senior Andrew Gallant (Merrimack, Mass.) completed the top-seven with his 57th place showing in 18:18. 76th In addition, fellow senior Brian Ki (Windham, N.H.) ran a solid race, shaving an impressive 1:20 from last year's time on the same course, clocking in at 19:09 and placing 74th.
Overall, Coach Sean Livingston seemed very happy with how his team ran in this early season meet, running against all Division I competition and holding their own.
"I give both the men and the women a lot of credit today,” said Livingston. “We have to be the only team here to start out their first competition against four Division I opponents. They stuck their nose right in there & didn't back down. The weather was very humid along w/ some downpours making matters even more challenging.”
“Both teams had the toughest preseason in my seven years coaching cross country here, so I knew we were a little beat up going into this meet, but I am happy with what I saw out there today.”
Roger Williams will host its first of three home meets this season next Saturday with the annual Roger Williams Invitational.
Place Runner - Time
22 Leveille, Mitch - 17:20.49
29 Ferguson, Jack - 17:28.63
36 Ellis, Jon - 17:44.53
37 Maybury, Tom - 17:44.94
54 Kacher, Jeremy - 18:13.74
56 Loughlin, Henry - 18:15.72
57 Gallant, Andrew - 18:18.99
62 Osgood, Chase - 18:28.70
65 Goodwick, Jamie - 18:33.95
67 Herbein, Dan - 18:40.44
72 Fitol, David - 19:00.22
74 Ki, Brian - 19:09.92
77 Carnevale, Steve - 19:22.25
78 Barlow, Kyle - 19:26.95
79 Duggan, Matt - 19:27.65
81 Carney, Matt - 19:35.18
