NBNO Championships: La Salle's Principe, Wilbur smash state 5K records

Day 1 of the New Balance Nationals got off to a great start for Rhode Island athletes on Friday night.

In the final two events of the day, La Salle Academy's D.J. Principe and Sheridan Wilbur each set state marks in their respective five-kilometer races.

In the boys' race, Principle placed fifth overall with an outstanding time of 14 minutes, 42.15 seconds. His time was more than 14 seconds faster than the old record of 14:56.45 by former Westerly great Andrew Springer at the 2007 nationals.


The Duke-bound Wilbur just missed All-American status, finishing seventh in the girls' race with a fast 17:11.32 clocking. Her time crushed the two-year-old record of 17:31.20 by ex-Westerly standout Jackie Burr.

Among other highlights...

In the Emerging Elite Hammer Throw, Cumberland's Michael Coppolino was second overall with a distance of 174 feet, 2 inches. Woonsocket's Jacob Greenless was third at 172-5 and teammate Dilyn Cote placed fourth at 170-11.

Hope finished fifth in the girls' EE 4x100m relay with a time of 48.74.