BRISTOL, R.I. – The Hawks are coming off a strong 2007-2008 campaign having sent 12 riders to the Zone 1 Region 1 finals, with two riders advancing to the Zone Finals. With the incoming talent and returning veterans, third-year head coach Eliza Davis is extremely excited to start the season.
Last season, Roger Williams finished third in the region behind Brown University and the University of Connecticut. Alicia Levy and Lauren Rarich represented RWU at the Zone Finals, with Rarich taking home fourth in the flat and Levy placing eighth.
The Hawks are featuring a strong returning cast which consists of sisters Olivia Cornell (Rowley, Mass.) and Brittany Cornell (Rowley, Mass.), sophomore Shannon O'Keefe (Glastonbury, Conn.), and co-captains Danica Kucinski (Shutesbury, Mass.) and Kayla Waskiewicz (Bristol, R.I.). Coach Davis says she is excited to see how well the Cornell sisters work together, while O'Keefe and Waskiewicz have the opportunity to challenge for the Caccione Cup, which is reserved for the top Open rider in the region.
Also returning are seniors Ashley Gagnon (Lunenburg, Mass.) and Becky Bryant (West Boylston, Mass.), who starting riding a mere 8 months ago and already has wins under her belt. Levy will also look to make an impact in Novice.
Incoming talent for the hawks include junior transfer Amelia Stasny (Bernardston, Mass.) and freshmen Abby Hanc (South Hadley, Mass.), Margaret Hanvey (Port Jefferson, N.Y.), and Jacqui Allred (Paoli, Pa.). According to Coach Davis, Hanc should be competitive in Walk-Trot-Canter, with Stasny competing in Intermediate, Hanvey in Advanced WTC, and Allred in Novice.
On October 4th, the Hawks will begin their season at the University of Rhode Island Show. Two weeks later, they will co-host a show with Brown University on October 19th.
“I'm very excited to start the season with the new riders and my veterans,” said Davis. “It should be a good year with good competition against Brown, UConn, and URI. I look forward to our home show where the Roger Williams community can see us in action.”
