BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Women's Cross Country team won The Commonwealth Coast Conference title for the 11th year in a row on their home course at Colt State Park on Saturday.
Led by Liliana Rutler (Wyckoff, N.J.), whose first-place finish of 23:50.68 earned her TCCC Runner of the Year honors, the Hawks placed five runners in the top 12 to defeat the runner-up University of New England by ten points, 39-49.
Rutler covered the 6-kilometer course in 23:50 to win by 37 seconds over Kayley Ryan of Salve Regina University, who was named TCCC Rookie of the Year. Her time moves her into fifth place all-time at Roger Williams in the 6K.
“Lily Rutler was off right at the start, took the lead immediately, and never looked back, earning the win,” said Head Coach Sean Livingston, who was named TCCC Coach of the Year. “It was an impressive race to watch.”
Freshman Vanessa Camiolo (Doylestown, Penn.) and junior Kaitlin Crowley (Beverly, Mass.) joined Rutler on the TCCC All-Conference team, placing 7th and 8th with respective times of 24:50 and 24:53.
Freshmen Anne Cassidy (Chelmsford, Mass.) and Kristin St. Pierre (Dracut, Mass.) just missed out of the top ten, placing 11th and 12th with times of 25:07 and 25:10, respectively.
“Along with Crowley's eighth place, three freshmen helped solidify the win,” said Livingston. “Vanessa had been sick last week and missed four days of running, so I didn't know how she'd feel out there today. She hung tough and got that key seventh place. Also, Kristen St. Pierre and Anne Cassidy had incredible runs. Both dealt with significant injuries this season, and for them to come through today like that was incredible.”
Rounding out the scoring were junior Alexandra Honkala (South Royalton, Vt.) in 23rd at 25:56 and junior Lauren Ashby (Manchester, N.H.) , with a time of 25:58 to take 25th.
Also receiving All-TCCC honors were Alexis Gallipoli of Salve Regina University (3rd, 24:28), Colleen Ahern (4th, 24:37) and Jess Partlow (5th, 24:38) of the University of New England. Thais Ziegenhals (6th, 24:45) of Gordon College, and Kellie Hackett (9th, 25:02) and Heather Pederson (10th, 25:04) of the University of New England. Kimberly DeCosta of Curry College was named TCCC Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year, while Western New England College received the Team Sportsmanship Award.
Coming into the race, Livingston knew that winning the 11th straight title would be more difficult this season than in years past.
“We were most certainly the underdogs as we lost to UNE and Salve Regina in every meet we saw them at prior to today. I think the ladies were fired up, as we were home and we trained on the course quite a bit. I told them it would take a total team effort to get this done today, and like they have for the past 11 years, they stepped up in a big way. I am so happy and proud for them to get the result they did. They are such a good group & such a pleasure to coach.”
Roger Williams is back in action next Saturday with the ECAC Championships at Colt State Park. The race is set to start at noon.
