Spring Break
Cross country teams finish second at Bryant Invitational; battle rain, wind
Ryan Sullivan
Issue date: 10/2/08 Section: Sports
10/02/08 - The University of Rhode Island men's cross country team finished the Bryant Invitational with second place last Saturday.
Race conditions were rainy and windy because of Tropical Storm Kyle, an incoming nor'easter in the region. The Rams totaled 57 points to give the URI harriers the second place finish.
Leading the charge for URI was junior Ryan Karwiel, who finished with third place overall with a time of 16:53 over the vigorous 5-mile course.
Behind Karwiel was junior Kevin Healy, who finished with a time of 17:07, which gave him seventh place overall. Right on Healy's heels was freshman Michael Pezzullo, who finished 10th overall, crossing the line with a time of 17:13.
"The season so far has been going good, I have been running my fastest times ever," Pezzullo said.
Next in for URI was freshman Joseph Ferro, who finished 15th with a time of 17:46 and junior Nate Ruchames with a 18th place finished and a time of 18:01, rounding out the top five runners for URI.
URI returns to action on Oct. 3 at the Paul Short Invitational, held at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa.
Later in the day, the women's cross country team competed in its trial at the Bryant Invitational, also taking a second place finish and a total of 50 points.
"This year's team is very exciting, our top five runners are young and talented," said head coach Laurie Feit-Melnick. "We have a great future for the upcoming years. Our number one runner from last year hasn't been able to run yet, our plan is to get [Mary Najarian] back for the New England Championships."
Leading the way for URI was freshman Emily Zaccardi, who crossed the finish line in a time of 20:05 and finished fifth. Sophomore Brittany Pelsue finished seventh overall, clocking in at 20:28.
"The course was the hardest one so far this season and very little traction made it hard to run good times" Zaccardi said.
"The course was extra slow at Bryant and no best times were recorded, which was understandable because of the circumstances," Feit-Melnick said. "Improvements need to be made in solidifying a strong front pack for the big upcoming meets."
The next runners in for URI were senior Amy Krajewski 18th overall in a time of 21:17 and sophomore Caitrin Demchko with a 22nd place finish with a time of 21:50.
"Our goal for the upcoming meets and down the stretch are to finish ninth in the Atlantic 10, and to also improve upon last year's performance," Feit-Melnick said. "New England's gives us two weeks to prepare and focus for the bigger meets that lie ahead."
URI returns to action Oct. 11 at Franklin Park in Boston for the New England Championship.
Race conditions were rainy and windy because of Tropical Storm Kyle, an incoming nor'easter in the region. The Rams totaled 57 points to give the URI harriers the second place finish.
Leading the charge for URI was junior Ryan Karwiel, who finished with third place overall with a time of 16:53 over the vigorous 5-mile course.
Behind Karwiel was junior Kevin Healy, who finished with a time of 17:07, which gave him seventh place overall. Right on Healy's heels was freshman Michael Pezzullo, who finished 10th overall, crossing the line with a time of 17:13.
"The season so far has been going good, I have been running my fastest times ever," Pezzullo said.
Next in for URI was freshman Joseph Ferro, who finished 15th with a time of 17:46 and junior Nate Ruchames with a 18th place finished and a time of 18:01, rounding out the top five runners for URI.
URI returns to action on Oct. 3 at the Paul Short Invitational, held at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa.
Later in the day, the women's cross country team competed in its trial at the Bryant Invitational, also taking a second place finish and a total of 50 points.
"This year's team is very exciting, our top five runners are young and talented," said head coach Laurie Feit-Melnick. "We have a great future for the upcoming years. Our number one runner from last year hasn't been able to run yet, our plan is to get [Mary Najarian] back for the New England Championships."
Leading the way for URI was freshman Emily Zaccardi, who crossed the finish line in a time of 20:05 and finished fifth. Sophomore Brittany Pelsue finished seventh overall, clocking in at 20:28.
"The course was the hardest one so far this season and very little traction made it hard to run good times" Zaccardi said.
"The course was extra slow at Bryant and no best times were recorded, which was understandable because of the circumstances," Feit-Melnick said. "Improvements need to be made in solidifying a strong front pack for the big upcoming meets."
The next runners in for URI were senior Amy Krajewski 18th overall in a time of 21:17 and sophomore Caitrin Demchko with a 22nd place finish with a time of 21:50.
"Our goal for the upcoming meets and down the stretch are to finish ninth in the Atlantic 10, and to also improve upon last year's performance," Feit-Melnick said. "New England's gives us two weeks to prepare and focus for the bigger meets that lie ahead."
URI returns to action Oct. 11 at Franklin Park in Boston for the New England Championship.
