Decesare named captain

Being elected or appointed team captain speaks volumes about a student-athlete.

Moreover, as recruiters will readily offer, achieving such a prestigious position requires a certain character trait and a person’s leadership skills.

Enter Sydney DeCesare, a Johnston resident and La Salle Academy graduate, who this week was appointed at one of four captains of the Salve Regina University women’s cross country team by Seahawks Head Coach Rob McGuiness.

The daughter of Rhode Island Sheriff David DeCesare and his wife Jo-Ann, Sydney is the only junior selected as captain among four Seahawk seniors. McGuiness also named seniors Olivia Owen of Weymouth, Ma., Ciana Lynch of Cranston and Rachel Sandri of Marlboro, NY as captains.

DeCesare has been a regular varsity contributor at Salve Regina since landing Rookie of the Year honors in 2017 and last season was named the Seahawks Most Improved Runner.

She also represented Salve Regina in two NCAA Division III New England Regional Championships and has scored in multiple invitational victories.

“It was encouraging to see Syd take ownership of her group in workouts last fall. She was clearly invested in her training partners and was determined to help them meet their goals,” said McGuinnes. “That was a leadership move; Syd does so much to make our team better, and it is a pleasure to work with here.”

To date, DeCesare has among her many credits during the past two seasons, four college bests in those often grueling events such as the 3,000, 2-mile, 1-mile and 1,500. The 5-foot-3 junior is a member of the Class of 2021 and is majoring in Administration of Justice.