“I don’t have a good answer for you. I wish I did.”
Those were the words of Keith Lawton, Director of Cross Country and Track & Field for the Rhode Island Interscholastic League, in response to the recent news that Ponaganset High will no longer host the class and state championships—a role it had held since 2003.
Like many others, Lawton said he was caught off guard by the decision. While he indicated the situation is not 100 percent confirmed, he added, “it does seem clear it’s not going to be there.”
In a phone conversation Tuesday morning, Lawton told Ocean State Running that the decision appears to have come from administrators with the Foster-Glocester Regional School District. He said he was not completely sure of the reasoning.
“We had some issues last year,” he said. “We thought they were solved.”
Lawton first learned of the development on March 23 during a meeting with the RIIL’s Principals Committee on Athletics.
“They just said we are not invited back,” he said. “Honestly, there is not much more I can give you.”
Lawton said that in a meeting with the administrators last fall, about two to three weeks before the class and state meets, the main issue that was discussed involved teams vacating the premises during unscheduled days that had been established.
“There could be other issues,” he said. “It could be they’re tired of us being there. Maybe that’s all it is. I have no animosity towards them. I’m afraid I don’t have all the facts. They have to do what’s best.”
What’s still up in the air is where this year’s championship meets will be held if the decision becomes official. The New England Championships were also scheduled to take place on the Chieftains’ Covered Bridge Trail. Alternatives are currently being explored, though no official replacement venues have been announced.
Lawton did say that conversations are ongoing with the RIIL and Ponaganset to see if a solution can be reached.
“It could all change,” he said. “The solution could be something simple.”
