HEBRON, Conn. – The Roger Williams University Equestrian team opened the spring portion of the 2009-10 season with a seventh-place showing at the Wesleyan University show this past Saturday. It marked the team's show since November, also at Wesleyan.

The Hawks performed well in Novice Flat, taking the top three spots in the competition. Jacqui Allred (Paoli, Pa.) came in first for RWU, followed up by Erin DeMarco (Florence, Vt.) and Alexandra Pastor (Westhampton, N.Y.) in second and third, respectively.

Three other riders were able to win their respective divisions, with Amelia Stasny (Bernardston, Mass.) claiming first in Intermediate Flat, Abby Hanc (South Hadley, Mass.) winning Walk-Trot-Canter, and Danielle Stucchi (Framingham, Mass.) clinching the top spot in Walk Trot.

RWU was earned runner-up performances by Scott Pearson (Locust Valley, N.Y.) in Open Flat and Alyssa Schankman (Newtown, Conn.) and Olivia Cornell (Rowley, Mass.) in Novice Fences.

The Hawks also received third-place finishes from Allred, Pastor, and Samantha Taylor (Essex Junction, Vt.) in Novice Fences, Melissa Berger (Delmar, N.Y.) in Walk Trot, Shannon O'Keefe (Glastonbury, Conn.) in Open Fences, and Kyle Alexander (Tolland, Conn.) in Walk-Trot-Canter.

The Hawks are off from competition for the rest of the month and will return to action on March 6 at the University of Connecticut Show.

Team Points

University of Rhode Island - 38

Brown University - 30

Wesleyan University - 29

University of Connecticut - 23

Johnson & Wales University - 23

Post University - 21

Roger Williams University - 20

Central Connecticut State University 12

Trinity College - 11

Rhode Island College - 9