Picking the top cross-country teams in the state before the season begins is never easy. A lot can happen over the course of three months. Athletes can experience breakthrough seasons, newcomers can emerge as key contributors, and, of course, injuries to important runners can quickly change the outlook for a team.
But we’ll do our best to set the stage for what we expect will be another exciting season on the trails. For some of the state’s top teams, the outlook appears fairly straightforward if everything goes according to plan. For others, however, the picture is far less clear, and where they’ll ultimately finish by season’s end remains anyone’s guess.
Beginning with No. 10 and counting down to No. 1, here’s our preseason ranking of the top 10 boys’ teams in the state. As always, if we’ve given your team a little bulletin-board material based on our rankings, you’re welcome. It certainly won’t be the first time.
(Above photo by Sterling Vernon @rhodeandtrack)
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No. 6, Cumberland High
Last year’s results: First (11-0), Northern Division, Fourth, Class A Championships; Third, RIIL State Championships
Key returnees/runners: Ethan Libby, senior, 16:32.29; Jonathan Stowik, sophomore, 16:37.67; Brayden Rivello, senior, 17:15.73; Logan Wild, junior, 18:15.0; Tyler Pinch, junior, 18:29.30; Cooper Magill, sophomore
Outlook: In cross country, Cumberland has been a consistent top-six finisher at the State Meet, earning a ticket to the New England Championships for seven straight years, including a runner-up finish in 2021. Despite losing four runners from a 2025 squad that placed third at the state championship, we expect that trend to continue this fall.
We’re putting the Clippers at No. 6, but don’t be surprised if head coach Kerri Carpenter and her team climb even higher when the teams line up for the championship races in early November.
The Clippers return a strong 1-2 punch in Libby and Stowick, both of whom cracked the top 20 at last year’s State Meet, finishing 12th and 18th, respectively. Rivello was also a member of the varsity squad, placing 36th overall with his current PR.
The good news for the Clippers is the return of sophomore Cooper Magill. Magill, who was one of the state’s top junior-high runners from 2022-24 while competing for North Cumberland Middle School, ran just one race as a freshman last fall. A stress fracture/reaction sidelined him for the remainder of the cross country season and forced him to miss the entire indoor and outdoor track and field seasons.
The injury appears to be behind him now. At full strength, a healthy Magill has a chance to make a significant impact and could emerge as one of the Clippers’ top runners by season’s end, with the ability to break 17 minutes for the 5K distance.
The key for Cumberland will be the back end of its lineup. As is the case with most teams, the difference-maker could come from the all-important fifth runner – and the fourth runner, too. Based on last year’s results, plus the addition of Magill, it’s roughly a one-minute gap between Cumberland’s third and fourth runners. Closing that gap will be crucial if the Clippers are going to move up the standings.
