RIIL Class Cross Country Championships Recap

Results

Results Merge

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Rhode Island Class Championships was this weekend, and the states best all converged on Ponagansett's Covered Bridge course to get one final preview of the state meet course. Some looked to set PRs, others to qualify for states, many used it as a final tune-up, and one even attempted to break the course record. After seeing the results from this weekend, the state meet looks to be very exciting on both the boy's and girls' sides.  

Class A

In Class A, it was the Troy Silvestri Show. Silvestri led wire to wire and did not hold back as he ran the second fastest time of the day in 15:46. He led Hendricken well with teammates Andrew Frezza, Keegan Tierney, and Jack Moretta joining him in taking first-team honors while Hendricken had 7 in the top 11. This was one of the most dominant Class A performances in a long time from any school and makes Hendricken look to be the favorite for the state meet next week. Jackson Borge of North Kingstown and Cole McCue of Cumberland round out the top 3 with low 16-minute 5k's while Raymond Flores's 8th place finish led La Salle to runner-up honors.  

Class B

In Class B, Barrington dominated scoring just 31 points and 5 in the top 11. Nathan Evans of Lincoln edged out Brandon Piedade of Barrington with a 16:16 to 16:22.4. Jesse Principe of West Warwick was close behind in 16:23.8, and was the top individual qualifier for states. Ponagansett took 2nd in the team battle with 80 points while Chariho took 3rd with 86 points.  

Class C

In Class C, Devan Kipyego meant business. The Saint Raphael's senior has yet to commit to a college publicly, but in the race committed to a fast pace. Hitting the first mile in 4:35 and 4k in 12:00, he looked to strike down DJ Principe's course record of 14:56.09. Although he came up short with the final kilometer being a 3:05, he ran the second fastest time on the course in history with a 15:06.3. Saint Raphael's won Class C thanks to putting 4 in the top 13 as they scored just 58 points. East Greenwich's 68 points and Smithfield's 81 points rounded out the top 3.  

JV States 

Bishop Hendricken showed their depth by taking 5 of the top 6 spots. Alex Sjoblom off Hendricken won in 17:01.8 while La Salle's Seamus O'Brien took 4th in 17:42.5 to lead the Rams to a runner-up finish.  

Class A

In Class A, Caroline Cummings of La Salle ran the fastest time of the day in 18:22. Cummings's margin of victory was nearly 100 seconds over Kiley DeFusco of Cumberland who held off fellow sophomore Keaney Bayha of Pilgrim in 19:42.3 to 19:43.5. Cumberland took the team title, however, scoring just 35 points to La Salle's 58 points. One notable absence is Maeve Casey of La Salle. If she was in the Rams lineup, the battle between the Clippers and the Rams would have been down to the wire. This was Cumberland's first title in 28 years.  

Class B

In Class B, defending state champion Reese Fahys won another Class B title in cross country. Her 18:29.3 was the 3rd fastest time of the day, but also found little competition as her margin of victory was almost 45 seconds. Fahys looks to be back and ready to go for the three-peat as well as help her team win a state title. This looks good as they put 5 in the top 9, and had the best team score in the merge with just 78 points to Cumberlands, the Class A Champions, 105 points. Freshman phenom Jessica Deal of Mount Hope took 2nd while Erin vonHousen of Chariho placed 3rd.  

Class C

In Class C, Sophia Gorriaran made her long-awaited debut in cross. Although a track specialist who focuses on the 800, she can still throw down in cross country. She ran the second fastest time of the day with an 18:28.3. Rory Sullivan took 2nd in 18:58.2 for the 4th fastest time of the day. Westerly took the team title with 69 points over Saint Raphael's who scored 74 points.  

JV States 

East Greenwich edged out Barrington in the team battle with a 41-60 victory. East Greenwich's Emma Clarke won in 21:17.8 as their team put 3 in the top 5.  

States are just a week away, and almost anything could happen on the trail of Ponagansett!