From the beginning of the season to now, nothing has changed.
When the gun is fired for the start of the girls’ race at the R.I. State Meet on Sunday, the battle for the team championship is focused on just two teams –Barrington High and La Salle Academy. The two-time defending champion Eagles and Rams, state titlist from 2007-2010, have demonstrated throughout the fall campaign that only an upset of gargantuan proportions would make it any different.
Who will win on Ponaganset’s covered-bridge trail? Only time will tell.
Some might say La Salle looks primed for the crown after this past Saturday’s Class A meet where the Rams defeated the Eagles rather convincingly with a 28-55 victory. The Rams were sparked somewhat by the return this fall of injured star Sheridan Wilbur, who placed fifth overall.
But La Salle coach Kelly Martin and Barrington mentor Ann Marie Marino have been around long enough to know that a different day can produce different results, especially when the teams are nearly identical in terms of talent.
“It’s going to be an awesome one,” Marino stated. “It always is anytime you put us and La Salle together.”
Although the outcome may not have changed at the finish, the score of the class meet more than likely would have been closer if the Eagles had their No. 2 runner on the starting line, senior Abby Livingston, who was unable to compete this past weekend. Livingston owns the third fastest time in the state with her 18:16 effort at the Great American Cross-Country Festival in early October.
By the looks of the field, it’s possible the Rams and the Eagles could have all their scoring runners among the top 15. Where they’re positioned will make the difference in the final score. La Salle sophomore Eliza Rego is the clear-cut favorite to capture individual honors. She won last week’s race in a course record of 17 minutes, 47.08 seconds, a huge 17-second margin over last year’s state champion, Barrington sophomore Emma McMillan.
McMillan appears to be the top challenger for Rego and can still make things interesting for the top spot on Sunday.
“Emma is not afraid of much,” Marino said. “She is not afraid of being in the lead.”
The difference-maker for La Salle could be Wilbur, who was second at the states last year. The Rams’ talented junior ran her first race of the season at the class meet after recovering from a hip injury and coasted across the line with an 18:42 clocking. She was a spectator when the Rams lost a close 25-30 decision to the Eagles last month in a Metropolitan Division showdown.
La Salle also has sophomore Karina Tavares, the Mount Hope transfer that finished fourth at the Class A race with a time of 18:26. Based on performances during the season, the Rams hold the edge, especially with the addition of Wilbur.
But you can’t count the Eagles out of this one.
Along with McMillan, the Eagles’ Livingston is also capable of cracking the top five. Senior Megan Verner-Crist proved she can perform at a high level in the pressure-filled state championship. She had a huge PR at the 2012 meet when she placed fourth overall with an 18:54 clocking. She was seventh this past weekend with a season-best of 19:21.
It looks like the placement of the fourth and fifth scoring runners will be crucial, something that is not uncommon in cross country. The Rams have additional strength with sophomore Elise Papazian, senior Rachel Renzi, senior Caroline Falvey and sophomore Audrey O’Neil, who all were among the first 12 at the class meet. The Eagles have senior Mary Kate Coogan, sophomore Julia Zitzmann, senior Kelsey Maxwell and senior Julianna Poretlli to fill the gaps.
Be prepared for a matchup that could come down to the final stretch.
For a look back at last year's state meet, click here.