You didn't actually think we were going to take a breather did you?
The state meet has arrived and we'll be back in business here at MileSplit RI doing everything we can to get you ready for next Sunday's meet on Ponaganset's covered-bridge trail.
Throughout the week, we'll preview the top teams and who we consider the Athletes to Watch at The Reservation. We'll also provide Virtual Meets of the two races, key match-ups and anything else of importance for the biggest meet of the cross-country season.
If this past weekend's class championships is any indication, be prepared for one of the most exciting state meets in recent memory. Can La Salle Academy build off its momentum from its victory over Bishop Hendricken in the boys' Class A meet or will the Hawks return the favor by winning the school's 30th team title since 1978? How about the La Salle girls, who scored just 23 points to take home the plaque in the heavily-talented Class A meet? Will it be another low-scoring affair for the nationally-ranked Rams, who are seeking their third straight and seventh overall title since 2007?
The battle for the individual titles could be interesting, too. La Salle junior D.J. Principe looks ready to defend his title, especially after winning his class meet with a near course record of 15:19. But he'll have to contend with some pretty stiff challengers, including senior teammate Matt Bouthillette and North Kingstown freshman Sam Toolin, who were 2-3 in the race. Also, don't forget Jack Salisbury, the La Salle senior who has been nursing an injury and finished fifth this past Saturday in his first race on the trails this season. For the girls, La Salle's Eliza Rego will be looking to win a crown she has been chasing since she was a tenth-grader. But as she found out at the class meet, it won't come easy. South Kingstown sophomore Ellie Lawler defeated Rego by 10 seconds this past weekend and is certainly capable of doing it again at the states.