How do you follow up a pair of dominating wins at the state meet?
With a New England title, of course.
That was the case for Bishop Hendricken and Cumberland at Saturday’s New England Cross-Country Championships. The Hawks and Lady Clippers completed a Rhode Island sweep at the Troy Middle School XC Course in Belfast, Maine.
Hendricken captured its second straight crown and 14th overall, cruising to a 53-146 victory over Coe Brown (N.H.). On the girls’ side, it was an historic day for Cumberland. The Clippers captured their first title in nearly 50 years in dramatic fashion, edging Exeter (N.H.) by a single point, 128-129.
Adding to the Ocean State celebration, Hendricken’s Colby Flynn captured Rhode Island’s 13th individual title and second straight, following former Portsmouth standout Sean Gray’s victory in 2025. Flynn cruised through the five-kilometer course in 15:03.74.
For the Cumberland girls, it was the program’s second New England championship, following its inaugural title in 1977. Leading the charge for the Clippers was junior Cecelia “Cece” Ludwig, who was the top Rhode Island finisher, placing 12th overall with a personal-best time of 17:57.28. She finished just ahead of last week’s individual champion, La Salle’s Alyssa Parenteau, who was 13th in 17:58.14, and Barrington’s Carly Gill, who placed 14th in 17:59.49, also breaking the 18-minute barrier.
Rounding out Cumberland’s scoring five were freshman Caylee Kurbec (17th, 18:08.05), sophomore Natalie Crawford (40th, 18:45.12), senior Anna Bianchi (62nd, 19:03.08) and senior Gabby Stoothoff (68th, 19:13.30).
Hendricken averaged a crisp 5K time of 15:28.66 by its scorers with gap of just 49 seconds between its one and five runners. Comprising the scoring were Flynn, Shepherd Butler (fourth, 15:06.38), junior Oliver Redmond (18th, 15:32.93), senior Andrew Williams (28th, 15:47.53) and sophomore Luke Tremble (33rd, 15:52.69).
Barrington’s Brooks Mello was 15th overall in 15:32.93. Other RI finishers among the top 25 were La Salle Will Souza (19th, 15:33.44) and Providence Country Day’s Leo Woodman (22nd, 15:35.73).
