Thirty-three girls have dipped under 20 minutes. In the history of the interscholastic league, never have that many runners gone that fast.
This Sunday’s state championship has potential to develop into a monumental meet and top what transpired on the cross-country trails last year where an unprecedented 25 harriers ran sub-20 at Ponaganset . Without a doubt, the best group finish ever at The Reservation for Rhode Islanders.
Based on what they have accomplished so far this autumn season, MileSplit RI has comprised a list of some of the leading contenders this weekend.
Eliza Rego, sophomore, La Salle Academy – Head coach Kelly Martin often has stated this season that her gifted tenth-grader is at another level. In her first season of cross country, few (if any) would argue that statement. Rego has dominated her R.I. competition the last two months and proved she will be very tough to beat this weekend by beating a stellar field at the Class A meet this past Saturday with a course-record-shattering time of 17 minutes, 47.08 seconds for the 5K distance. Barrington sophomore Emma McMillan, last year’s state champion, ran the best race of her young career but was still more than 17 seconds behind the La Salle runner. Rego likes to dictate the pace from the start and will more than likely utilize that strategy again this weekend. The only way to beat her would be to follow her lead. Not sure if that would be the wise thing to do. Right now, she appears unbeatable.
Emma McMillan, sophomore, Barrington – In a mild surprise last year, McMillan claimed the cross-country title by running a season-best time of 18:22. The Eagle runner has been a model of consistency this season and three times has run in the low 18-minute range for 5K with an 18:07 at the Great American Cross-Country Festival, an 18:10 at the Brown Invitational and an 18:04 at the class meet this past weekend. McMillan, also a standout swimmer, is a gutsy athlete. She won’t hold back in the early stages and will challenge with the leaders from the beginning. Can she upset the favored Rego at the state meet? She might have the best chance. By the looks of it, she will probably have to run a huge PR with a time in the mid-to-high 17-minute range to outdistance her La Salle rival. In 2012, she did run a best by 13 seconds to win her first title so she has proven that she can shine on the grandest of stages. It should be interesting.
Maddy Berkson, senior, Classical – If the race turns tactical and Berkson is among the lead pack when the runners exit the woods for the final 500 meters, the chances are high that the Purple standout will be victorious by the finish. She’s has the quickest leg turnover in the field with 2:06 speed for the 800 and 4:50 for the mile. Berkson has won multiple state crowns in the middle-distance events and a title on the dirt trails would certainly be a highlight considering that the longer distances are not her specialty. This season, Berkson has broken 19 minutes three times with her PB of 18:18.82 earning her a third-place finish at the Class A meet. It’s a known fact that the Classical star has the desire and the heart to do whatever it takes to achieve individual glory. Berkson would have to be considered a long shot to win on Sunday, but don’t count her out.
Sheridan Wilbur, junior, La Salle Academy – After being sidelined for most of the season with a hip injury, Wilbur ran her first race of the season this weekend at the Class A race. In that one meet, she demonstrated that she can score some valuable points for La Salle in its quest for a state title. Running moderately easy, the junior placed fifth overall with an outstanding time of 18:42.71. Wilbur has never won an individual title but has finished as a bridesmaid several times in state meet competition, including last year’s cross-country championship. With a tight battle expected between the Rams and Barrington for the team championship, Martin might be utilizing a different strategy for her junior. Figuring the gap may be too big to overcome and a challenge for the top spot could be too risky based on her limited training, the La Salle coach may have Wilbur hold back like she did at the class meet to have enough speed to pick off some Eagle runners during the crucial, last stretch.
Karina Tavares, sophomore, La Salle Academy – The Mount Hope transfer has been a great addition to the Rams this season. She was fourth at the class meet with a best of 18:26.32 and ran 18:34 at the Great American at the beginning of the month. As a ninth-grader last year for the Huskies, Tavares was fifth overall with a time of 19:00.24. She gives La Salle a lethal 1-2-3 punch with Rego and Wilbur in the race. If she finishes in the top five, a definite possibility, La Salle may be too tough to beat.
Abby Livingston, senior, Barrington – At Saturday’s class meet, Barrington finished second to La Salle by a 28-55 score. One of the key reasons for that large 27-point margin is the Eagles were without their consistent No. 2 runner, who attended the funeral of her grandfather the day before the class meet. Livingston ran a PB of 18:16 at the Great American. She experienced a pulled abdominal muscle at the Brown Invitational and barely cracked 20 minutes. Marino assured MileSplit RI that Livingston is healthy and ready to go on Sunday. Like Berkson, she has the speed to knock off a few runners that final stretch, having run 2:09 for the 800 and 1:35 for the 600.
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One runner that has been noticeably missing since the early season, and more than likely would have been on this list, is Westerly senior Jackie Burr. Head coach Mary-Ann Janiszewski informed MileSplit RI on Tuesday night that Burr suffered a leg injury last month, possibly due to overuse. She is currently in a boot and has been told by doctors that the earliest possible date she should resume any type of training would be Nov. 7.
“It’s frustrating, especially for Jackie,” Janiszewski said. “I think she is very disappointed. No one plans for injuries.”
During the outdoor season last year, Burr established a state record for 5K on the track with a 17:31.20 at the New Balance National Championships. Burr won her race at the season-opening Injury Fund Carnival this fall with a time of 19:05.