From the early 1930s to the mid-1960s, La Salle Academy was a dominant force in boys’ cross country, winning 28 state titles during that span.
While the Rams have still produced some quality squads since the sixties, the trophy case has been relatively empty at the Providence school with just one other state crown earned, a victory by the 1983 team that defeated Cumberland High, 78-106, at the old Bryant College course.
That could all change this season.
With an influx of talent coming back and a few key additions, La Salle is looking like one of the favorites to snare the coveted title at Ponaganset's covered-bridge trail in early November.
“We are very confident that that’s a goal we can accomplish,” said longtime coach Ken Skelly. “There is no question we are not going to take it easy in any way, shape or form because there are teams like Hendricken, a perennial powerhouse. You can’t take a team like that lightly. They have three guys that are really strong and there is no question that they train their guys to still go for a state championship. That’s what their goal is and that’s what our goal is.
It’s exciting to have a challenge like that.”
The Hawks, who have won the last five team titles, are led by junior Colin Tierney, junior Michael Potter and senior Collin Manning. All three were among the top finishers for Hendricken in last year’s championship meet.
But while the Hawks are the defending titlist and have an equally-talented squad as previous years, it’s the Rams that look to be the team that everyone might be chasing. La Salle was second last year to the Hawks in 2012, losing by just 20 points (44-64). Wearing the maroon and white this season are three returning varsity members and a very-dangerous core of juniors and underclassmen that give La Salle the capability to produce a low number at the state meet.
Leading the way for the Rams is junior Jake Grundy, a fifth-place finisher at last year’s states with a time of 16 minutes, 12.92 seconds for the 5K course. Grundy, who cracked nine minutes for the 3,000-meter run and had a best of 4:15 for the 1,500 during the indoor and outdoor track seasons, is more than capable of another top-seven placement at Ponaganset.
“He’s an excellent runner, a very strong-willed, determined kid,” Skelly said. “He has an attitude of just pure will, pure, pure, pure will. He wills himself to do things that are amazing to watch.”
Sophomore Matthew Bouthillette and junior Dan Paiva are the other returnees for La Salle. Bouthilette placed 21st at the states (16:44.74) and was also fourth in the 3,000 at the indoor championship. Paiva was 46th at the state meet (17:35.5) and was outstanding around the track oval the next two seasons with bests of 1:58 for the 800, 4:05 for the 1,500 and 8:51 for the 3,000.
La Salle captured the JV cross-country state meet last year, placing four of its top runners among the first seven finishers. Junior Jake Salisbury took the individual title and should be a consistent scoring athlete for the Rams on the varsity level. He ran 8:51 for the 3K and placed second in the 1,000 at the indoor state meet. Other runners from the JV state meet that will be back for the Rams are junior James Placco (third), junior Chris Notarianna (sixth) and junior Connor Hennessey (ninth).
The one harrier that everyone will sure be keeping their eye on this season is the Rams newest addition, David “D.J.” Principe. The 14-year-old Principe, a two-time junior high cross-country state champion from Western Hills in Cranston and a three-time All-American at the Junior Olympic Nationals (cross country, track), already has acheived times of a seasoned veteran. He has run in the mid 16-minute range for the 5K and has also clocked 9:10 for the 3K.
“Without a doubt, the sky is the limit with this kid,” Skelly said. “He is definitely someone who can be anywhere between first and second-team all-state. We haven’t had a freshman all-stater since (former Barrington High standout) Sid Griffith (in 2005). I think he’s someone who could do that. He has a lot of high-level performances at USATF meets and Junior Olympic Nationals. He’s coming in already experienced. He’s like a veteran already. He trained with his teammates on summer runs. He just fits in perfectly with this team. Physically and maturity wise, he is ready to roll. It’s going to be fun to watch.”
La Salle appears ready to make a run for a state title, but Skelly knows his team will have to be clicking on all cylinders to make it happen. There are a number of squads he believes are capable of winning the overall prize, especially the Hawks.
“I would definitely say, without a doubt, Hendricken,” he said. “But then you have teams like North Kingstown, East Greenwich and Cumberland. Those are teams that are always there and make it to the New England’s each year. You just can’t (underestimate) any of those teams. We are very excited to compete in a small state with some of the best teams in the country. You look at these big states in the country and how many teams get to go to the next level, like the regionals and nationals. They put out a lot of numbers but we put out teams in Rhode Island that are just as good.”
What would a long-awaited state title mean to Skelly and his Rams?
“There is no doubt the tradition here for cross country at both the state and national level at La Salle Academy is an unbelievable tradition,” he said. “We really want to continue. We really want to bring that tradition back. We are excited to have the opportunity. My principal (Don Kavanagh) reminds me that he was the last coach to win a state championship. I am reminded of that every year. Our athletes understand the weight that is on their shoulders in the sense of what can be accomplished and what tradition they can bring back.”