Just like her varsity team, Cumberland coach Kerrie Carpenter didn’t have strength in numbers at Monday’s RITCA Freshmen State Championships.
Only five runners toed the line.
Turns out, that was all she needed.
On a cool afternoon at Deerfield Park, the Lady Clippers proved that in cross country, quality can often outweigh quantity. With its small squad, Cumberland walked away with the biggest prize of them all, winning the team title with a narrow 47-49 decision over La Salle Academy.
“I’m suprised, very suprised today,” Carpenter said. “We have a very, very small team this year. I was able to put five freshmen girls and four freshmen boys on the line. Our team in total is very low in numbers. To come out with a win is completely unexpected.”
Chariho Regional’s Meriden Alge captured the individual title, cruising the 2.5-mile course in a PR of 15:13.8—a time that shaved more than 20 seconds off her previous best. The Clippers’ Natalie Crawford, the No. 5 runner on her varsity squad, placed second in 15:20.14. Block Island’s Keira Closter was third in 15:36.12.
Following Crawford for Cumberland were Charlotte Pryer (6th, 15:53.35), Rebecca Davis (22nd, 18:19.73), Hadley Henderson (33rd, 18:57.56), and Annabel Shanks (38th, 19:01.76).
For the boys, the Clippers also struck it rich, at least individually. Taking the crown was Jonathan Stowick, who was timed in a best of 13:27.48. Jonathan Stowick claimed the crown with a PR of 13:27.48. He trailed East Greenwich’s Micah Dru (13:41.31) until the final mile. That’s when he made his most decisive move. Luke Tremble of Hendricken was third at 13:47.28.
“I could tell he was getting tired around 1.5 (miles). It was at the two-mile mark where I really caught up to him,” said Stowick. “I really took off with about a half-mile left.””
La Salle earned the boys’ team title, defeating Bishop Hendricken, 50–100. The Rams were led by Cameron Taylor (4th, 13:55.86) and Royce Aglione (5th, 13:59.92), both finishing under 14 minutes. Sid Simha (13th, 14:34.76), Jimmy Donovan (16th, 14:50.76), and Gavin Pintarich (17th, 14:52.42) rounded out their scoring five.
