WESTFIELD, Mass. — The Roger Williams University men's cross country team made noise Saturday morning at the James Earley Invitational, hosted by Westfield State University, securing a season-best second-place team finish among 13 teams. After facing a series of delays and extreme heat at last week's Paul Short Run in Bethlehem, Pa., hosted by Lehigh University, the Hawks responded with a strong performance, overcoming the challenges of the previous week and earning a runner-up finish.
Evans, Walker Lead Hawks With Top-10 Finishes
Senior captain Nathan Evans (Lincoln, R.I.) led the Hawks, placing eighth overall in the 8K with a time of 26:13.8. Sophomore Cole Walker (Cumberland, R.I.) followed closely behind in ninth place, clocking 26:17.0 and recording a personal best.
Senior Kyle Tarpy (Haverhill, Mass.) finished 19th overall in 26:46.7, providing another strong result for the Hawks. First-year Grady Steele (Wolfeboro, N.H.) crossed the line in 26th place with a time of 27:10.4, also recording a personal best.
Hawks Deliver Strong Pack Performance
First-year Henry McCormack (Melrose, Mass.) placed 27th overall in 27:22.6, while senior Josh Soucy (Manchester, N.H.) finished 31st in 27:32.1, recording a season best. Junior Oliver Polster (Wakefield, Mass.) followed in 36th place with a time of 27:40.1, also earning a season best.
Sophomore Andrew Frenette (Dighton, Mass.) placed 37th in 27:40.6, recording a personal best. Senior William Krause (Glastonbury, Conn.) finished 44th in 28:01.3, while first-year Samuel Matson (Hudson, N.H.) placed 47th in 28:09.8, recording a personal best.
Junior Gabriel Huff (Ledyard, Conn.) finished 48th in 28:19.3, followed by first-year Ethan Barossi (Walpole, Mass.) in 51st place with a time of 28:23.4, also recording a personal best. Sophomore Colin Marsanico (Floral Park, N.Y.) placed 52nd in 28:23.6, earning a personal best.
First-year Kevin Defeudis (Barnstable, Mass.) crossed the line in 73rd place with a time of 29:18.6. First-year Michael Walsh (Newbury, Mass.) finished 80th in 29:39.8, recording a personal best, while junior Vedanth Penumatsa placed 81st in 29:41.5, earning a season best. First-year Andrew McDowell (Durham, Conn.) rounded out the Hawks' listed finishers in 87th place with a time of 29:51.2.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Hawks return to Bristol for the Homecoming 5K Road Race on Saturday, Oct. 17, as part of Homecoming & Family Weekend. The race is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Roger Williams University.
