Rhode Island will be sending a strong contingent to the Nike Cross Regionals Northeast (NXR-NE) two weeks from now — and there’s a legit chance several of those athletes and teams could punch their tickets to the Nike Cross Nationals in Oregon a week later.
In their final tune-up before the regional showdown on Nov. 22, the Ocean State’s top teams and individuals got exactly what they needed at Saturday’s New England Cross-Country Championships at Vermont’s Thetford Academy.
And they didn’t just show up — they showed out. The state’s finest athletes and teams left Thetford with a pair of victories and multiple top finishes against some of New England’s best.
Continuing what’s been another special season for Bishop Hendricken, the Hawks went home with the team hardware, capturing the school’s 13th title. The recent state champions scored a low 58 points, 29 more than second-place Pinkerton (NH). The two squads went into the meet ranked No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, in the northeast. On the girls’ side, last week’s titlist Cumberland was second to VT powerhouse, Champlain Valley Union. CVU scored 89 points, while the Clippers tallied 121.
Portsmouth’s Sean Gray maintained his momentum during a red-hot fall campaign, earning individual gold in the boys’ race with an impressive time of 15 minutes, 53.13 seconds on a very difficult 5K course. Rhode Islanders certainly made their presence felt up front. Following Gray across the line was good friend and rival Marshall Vernon of La Salle Academy, who had his second straight runner-up finish at the meet with a time of 16:09.48. Along with Gray and Vernon, Hendricken’s David Hayes (fourth, 16:20.95), Colby Flynn (ninth, 16:35.00), Shepherd Butler (11th, 16:42.76) and Fred Russell (24th, 16:59.11) earned All-New England honors based on their top-25 finishes. Completing the scoring for the title-winning Hawks was Oliver Redmond, who was 42nd overall in 17:19.31.
Gray admitted it wasn’t just a win that was orginally on his mind prior to the race.
“I really was thinking about the course record and running my own race, just going out front and pushing how I normally do,” said the Virginia commit, making reference to the course mark of 15:44. “I believe that the record was in sight if I could have pushed a little harder throughout the last (kilometer). I knew my fitness and training could pull me through strong in this race as I feel myself finally coming into stride.”
Gray is now setting his sights on the upcoming NXR at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls, N.Y. He was sixth at last year’s meet, earning a trip to the Nationals based on his top-five placement among runners that are not on a qualifyong team.
“My coaches and I have planned to peak for end season and nationals, and they have done a great job of helping me get there,” he said. “I believe that I could be in the contention for the regional and even possibly national championship with Nike these next few weeks! I am excited with the result but am ready for more to come!”
Last week’s individual state champion, Cumberland’s CC Ludwig, was the top R.I., girl at Saturday’s competion, placing an impressive fifth overall with a time of 18:56.14. The Clippers’ Charli McCue was next harrier across the line from the state, finishing 28th overall with a time of 20:06.73. She was followed closely by North Kingstown’s Lucy Stowe (29th, 20:09.22), St. Raphael’s Mackenzie Lickert (30th, 20:09.81), La Salle’s Alyssa Parenteau (32nd, 20:18.31) and Sabrina Ghamrawl (20:22.74).
Behind Ludwig and McCue for the runner-up Clippers were Gabby Stoothoff (38th, 20:25.13), Natalie Crawford (50th, 20:33.34) and Anna Bianchi (51st, 20:33.75).
Ocean State Running will update this article
