Rhode Islanders Compete in Great American XC Festival

This past weekend at the Great American Cross Country Festival hosted in Cary North Carolina several Rhode Island athletes tested their abilities against some of the best runner's in the country.  On the Men's side, the Race of Champions had 5 of the top 25 teams in the nation.  Both Bishop Hendricken and La Salle Academy competed in the race of champions, with local Massachusetts team Bishop Feehan also in the race. Those teams were also joined by Bryce Kelley of Chariho High School. 

The Bishop Hendricken Hawks carried the torch for the local teams, placing tenth overall as a team.  The Hawks were led by senior co-captains Tyler Henseler (15:48, 44th)  and Connor Doyle (15:52, 50th).  La Salle Academy, who finished 15th as a team in a race of 25 teams, was led by sophomore sensation Jake Grundy.  Jake ran 16:04, a huge PR for him over 5k, placing him 68th overall in the race.  La Salle also received a great performance from freshmen Matt Bouthelette who ran 16:11, good enough for 86th place. Bryce Kelley of Chariho was the top Rhode Island finisher that day, running 15:45 and placing 37th.  Bryce had been nursing a case of patella tendonitis, and was able to run well despite wearing a brace.

On the girls side, the continued rivalry between Barrington High School and La Salle Academy added another chapter.  Barrington finished 4th overall in the Race of Champions; the last time a Rhode Island team was able to accomplish that feat it was La Salle Academy in the 2009, the year they attended Nike Nationals.  Barrington was led by Emma McMillan who finished 32nd overall with a time of 18:33.  La Salle Academy finished 10th overall led by Sheridan Wilbur who ran 18:44 and finished 34th in the race.