R.I. State Meet: Westerly Girls Return To Top

From 2002 to 2006, Westerly captured five straight state titles.

After a 10-year absence, the Bulldogs are back on top once again.

In a meet where at least five teams had a chance to bring home the hardware, it was the Bulldogs that were able to secure the crown, defeating second-place Portsmouth, 67-56. North Kingstown was third with 49 points. 

The Bulldogs' depth proved crucial in the outcome as they earned just one victory in the 19 events. Westerly's lone win came in the 4x100m relay where the foursome of Leila Cox, Emma Santee, Sydney Federico and Helena Hall-Thomsen combined for a time of 50.05. 

Westerly's Randi Burr collected 16 points individually by finishing second in the 800m (2:16.96) and third in the 1,500m (4:36.54). She was also on the second-place 4x400m (4:01.39) squad. The Bulldogs' Emma Santee collected two third-place finishes in the 100m (12.78) and 200m (25.49).

Portsmouth was led by another sterling effort from sophomore Nikki Merrill, who captured the 1,500m with a PB of 4:29.70 (US #9). She also won the the 800 in 2:14.99 and anchored her team's winning 4x800m relay (9:22.17) with a blazing 2:11 leg.

La Salle's Emily Kane finished a gutsy second to Merrill in the 1,500m where she posted a two-second best of 4:31.94. She came back and claimed her first individual title, by coasting to the 3K crown in 10:07.35.

Woonsocket's Quinn Harlan was a double-winner, capturing the 100m (12.44) and long jump (17-3.25). She also was second in the 200m to individual champion Isabella Gentil of East Greenwich with a PB of 24.78 to Gentil's 24.74. East Greenwich's Laura Murphy took the 400m in 57.33.

Meet Results

For photos, results and more video interviews, just click here.