Devan Kipyego is now in a rare company. Not many athletes have remained undefeated all year, especially when attending big meets like Manhattan College Invitational, New England Championships, and now Team Northeast Regionals.
Kipyego went into the race with the goal of winning and made sure the pace was fast from the gun. He led through the 1k mark, and worked up the hill in a fast first half of 7:38.5. He was tied for first with Aidan Ross of Uxbridge, Massachusetts. In the lead group was also last year's champion Aidan Cox of Coe Brown, New Hampshire, and Byron Grevious of Phillips Exeter, New Hampshire. As they descended down the hill, Kipyego pushed the pace and began to drop Ross. Then as they hit the final hill, Kipyego surged to drop everyone else and cruised down the final stretch before Grievous closed hard to nearly close the gap. Kipyego finished in 15:34.6 for a 197-speed rating. This is the 5th fastest time ever run on the course, and the second fastest in Rhode Island history. Similar to the Rhode Island State Meet, DJ Principe's record still stands strong despite a strong effort from Kipyego and company. They were ahead of his record pace at halfway, but their close was much slower than Principe's who did it alone his senior year before taking All-American honors at Team Natinoals despite being sick. Kipyego in his post-race interview referenced recent trash talk on social media as fuel for his win and he now feels he has 'silenced all the haters' online. Kipyego has one more test, and it will be the ultimate test of strength against the Young brothers, Connor Burns, and Hunter Jones.
