NEW BRITAIN, Conn. – The UMass Lowell men's cross country team competed with a small group at the CCSU Mini Meet on Friday evening.
"Today was a good finish for the members not racing conference," said Head Coach Gary Gardner.
A small group of runners competed for the River Hawks in the 5k sub-varsity event, with six runners placing in the top 25. Freshman Jonathan Rooney (Danvers, Mass.) led the pack, punching the clock at 15:39.45 to earn a second-place finish, with senior Joshua Rivers (Manchester, N.H.) following directly behind in third, after clocking in at a 15:43.49 mark. Junior Nicolas Uzzo (East Bridgewater, Mass.) rounded out the UMass Lowell runners in the top 10, as he cruised his way to fifth place with a time of 15:45.55.
Following behind for the River Hawks were freshman Josh Toth (Milton, Mass.) (12th, 15:54.81), junior Dean Allen (Chelmsford, Mass.) (14th, 15:57.89), and freshman Jackson Beauparlant (17th, 16:06.47). Crossing next, freshman Jacob Szalewicz (Marblehead, Mass.) finished at a 16:28.12 mark for 26th place, and sophomore Sean Kerin (Walpole, Mass.) claimed 28th place at 16:29.95, as junior Pedro Mayol (Lincoln, R.I.) (31st, 16:34.00) and sophomore Dylan Brenn (40th, 17:00.49) stayed attached, rounding out the River Hawks in the 5k race, respectively.
In the varsity 5k race, junior Nicholas Marcotte (Hudson, N.H.) was the first UMass Lowell runner to finish past the line, earning ninth at a 15:04.03 mark. Next, freshman Christopher Guerin (Shrewsbury, Mass.) was in 15th place at a time of 15:21.15, as both junior Samuel Denis (Randolph, Mass.) (17th, 15:22.31) and sophomore Jamie Lano (Strafford, N.H.) (19th, 15:25.14) stayed attached, finishing within the top 20.
"Nick bounced back, running well today after a few tough races," said Gardner. "Chris Guerin has had a great first season, and that continued today. Also, Sam races well almost every time out."
Senior Nathanael Fondakowski (Pelham, N.H.) (25th, 15:30.49) and sophomore Jack Courtney (28th, 15:34.57) followed, as freshman Patrick Croughwell (Norwich, Conn.) (45th, 16:38.63) closed the River Hawk runners.
The team prepares for the America East Cross Country Championships, taking place next Friday, October 31, at the Hopkinton State Fairgrounds in Hopkinton, N.H.
