The annual Run4Kerri road race in South Kingstown this past Sunday featured several familiar names among its top finishers.
Former La Salle Academy standout Joseph dosReis claimed the overall title. Practicing what he preaches, the current assistant track and cross-country coach at his alma mater cruised over the four-mile course in 19 minutes, 56 seconds.
Former Westerly standout Matt Walker finished second in 20:11, while Andrew Frezza, a soon-to-be senior at Rhode Island College and former Bishop Hendricken All-Stater, placed third in 20:20.
DosReis was among a pack of three runners that included Walker and eventual fourth-place finisher Timothy Gill (20:23) just before reaching the three-mile mark. It was there that he made his move for the title.
“We were all together for the first couple of miles,” said dosReis, a runner-up in the 2025 race. “Last year when I ran it we ran out really fast the first mile because you have all that downhill. I think with all the humidity everyone kind of stuck together. We were pretty much all together through two and a half (miles). and right as we got to three miles there was a pack of three. I kind of made my move pushing up the last hill.”
North Kingstown’s Colton Orr, who will be a junior this fall for the Skippers, was 10th overall in 21:27. Placing 11th among the 607 finishers was Prout School assistant coach Ross McAndrew at 22:58.
For the third straight year, Courtney Hawkins was the first across the line on the women’s side. The 30-year-old Hawkins, who starred at the University of Rhode Island as a collegian, was timed in 23:33, good for 19th overall. She finished about 60 meters ahead of Bethany Steiner of South Kingstown, who was 20th at 23:43. Finishing third was Molly Richardson, a sophomore at Coventry High this fall. Richardson also averaged under six minutes per mile, finishing in 23:49.
“Honestly, the race plan was to just go out and see what I could do,” she said. ‘I did that. It’s a great way to finish the summer.
Richardson entered Sunday’s race coming off a strong performance at the Blessing of the Fleet 10-Miler in Narragansett on July 24, where she ran 1:04:32 to lower her personal best by six minutes.
In what she’s calling a redemption year, the Coventry standout has high hopes for the upcoming cross-country season.
“I was hurt a lot last season and wasn’t able to truly show what I could do,” Richardson said. “This year, I am training hard and being smarter about my training. That way I can really show what I can do.”
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Like many of our athletes and coaches, we were thrilled last month to learn that Ponaganset High School will continue to host the RIIL Cross Country State Championships.
While we’re still not sure what prompted the decision to return as the host after it initially appeared the championships would move to a new venue following 23 years at Ponaganset, we’re certainly glad the decision was reconsidered. As a result, the Covered Bridge Trail will once again serve as the championship course this fall.
Speaking of the cross-country season, the first official day of fall practice is just two weeks away on Monday, Aug. 17. As always, the season opens with the annual RITCA Injury Fund XC Carnival on Saturday, Sept. 5, at Deerfield Park in Smithfield. The Class Championships are scheduled for Oct. 24, followed by the State Meet on Oct. 31.
Coming soon, Ocean State Running will begin its preseason countdown of what we believe are the top 10 boys’ and girls’ teams entering the 2026 season. Trust us, this list won’t be easy to put together, especially when it comes to deciding the final few spots.
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Before cross-country season officially gets underway, there’s still one more summer tradition worth checking out – the 19th annual Bobby Doyle Summer Classic. The popular five-mile race will be held Sunday at 9 a.m., at Narragansett Pier School. This year’s event also features a Two-Mile Fun Run/Walk.
Beyond offering a competitive field, a scenic course and plenty of awards, the Bobby Doyle Summer Classic has long been a strong supporter of youth running and Rhode Island high school track and field. Over its first 18 years, the race has raised more than $270,000 to fund scholarships and support the sport.
Online registration closes Saturday at 8 p.m. Registration and packet pick-up will be available on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Rhode Runner Sports, 657 North Main Street, Providence, RI. Each bib number includes a 15-percent off coupon to the store that can be used immediately. There will also be on-site registration and packet pick-up on Race Day, beginning at 7 a.m., at Narragansett Pier School. The online cost for the five-miler is $36 and $40 walk-up fee on race morning. A student fee of $25 is offered to anyone in high school or younger. The Two-Mile Fun Run/Walk is $25.
Below is the link to online registration.
