Principe, Wilbur clock fastest times at Injury Fund Carnival

La Salle Academy, a team that MileSplit placed at No. 7 in its pre-season national rankings for boys, showcased its exceptional talent for the first time this fall at Saturday's Injury Fund Cross-Country Carnival. 

The Rams did not disappoint.

Sophomore D.J. Principe captured individual honors and 10 more of his teammates followed him across the line as La Salle won the meet-opening Ray Treacy Race with a convincing 15-54 decision over second-place Smithfield. Principe established a course record with a fast, early-season clocking of 15 minutes, 27.51 seconds. Junior Jack Salisbury was second with a time of 15:42.39 for the five-kilometer course at Burrillville Middle School.

In the preceding Sullivan Race, the La Salle girls also dominated with a 15-56 win over runner-up Smithfield. The Rams were led by senior Sheridan Wilbur and junior Eliza Rego, who claimed the top two spots. Wilbur was timed in 18:22.06 with Rego coming in at 18:22.48.

The five-plus hour meet, held under humid conditions, featured eight other races.

Cumberland, East Greenwich  and Bishop Hendricken each defended their titles in their respective races. Paced by an individual triumph from junior Sean Laverty, Cumberland took the Copeland Race with a narrow 42-50 decision over Chariho Regional. East Greenwich was a winner in the a 29-38 victory over Barrington. The Avengers' Alec Gannon held off teammate Noah Barretto to take the individual crown. The Hawks easily took the Hird Race with junior Avery Ingegneri breaking the tape followed by 10 more of his teammates. Hendricken defeated second-place Prout, 15-79.

Bethany Nunnery and North Kingstown beat the Cumberland girls in the Roy Race with a score of 31-46. Defending state champion Emma McMillan of Barrington was the first across the line in the Hindley Race. But it was South Kingstown that took the team prize with a 38-42 win over the Eagles. Twin sisters Allison and Jessica Bellows of Coventry went 1-2 in the Caswell Race. The Knotty Oakers also went home with the plaque with a 22-50 decision over runner-up Toll Gate.

In the freshmen races, it was East Greenwich (boys) and North Kingstown (girls) that were winners. The Avengers' Dante Prossada and Barrington's Grace Connoly were the individual victors.

Results

Photos