It’s only a matter of time before we get our first real glimpse of some of the top teams and athletes this cross-country season. The Injury Fund Carnival on Aug. 31 will give us a good sampling of what to expect from our top returnees. By the midway point of the fall campaign, and with a few in-state and out-of-state competitions under their belts, the picture will become clearer.
The next few weeks, Ocean State Running will be preview how we expect things will transpire on the dirt trails. We’re going to break it down by classes (Class A, Class B and Class C). Here we feature Class B boys.
Class B Boys’ Cross-Country Preview
Teams: West Warwick, Tolman, Barrington, North Providence, Lincoln, Chariho, Davies Voke, Ponaganset, Central Falls, Shea, Mount Hope, Johnston, Smithfield, Portsmouth, East Greenwich
Top Returnees: Myles Napolitano, Barrington; Sean Gray, Portsmouth; Michael Goodson, Smithfield; Luke Allen, East Greenwich; Connor Curran, Barrington; Brody Fahys, East Greenwich
Teams To Watch: Barrington, East Greenwich, Portsmouth, Smithfield
Outlook: As a sophomore in 2023-24, Gray had a breakthrough year with the Patriots, one that began during the cross-country season, highlighted by a fifth-place finish (15:51.64) at the State Meet. The Portsmouth standout continued his rapid progression on the track surface with bests of 15:16.20 for the indoor 5K, 9:11.06 for two miles and 8:33.13 for the 3K, an effort that earned him his first individual state crown this past spring. Gray, a runner-up in Class B last fall, is not only the favorite to win the class title but among a short list of top contenders for the state crown. You have to count the Eagles’ Napolitano on that list, too. The Barrington junior followed a fourth-place showing in this race last year by taking third overall at the states, where he clocked a best of 15:49.89 on Ponaganset’s covered bridge trail. Goodson is another top returnee from Class B with a fifth-place finish in 2023. To name a few, Goodson, Allen, Curran and Fahys are among a few others expected to be in the mix.
For the team title, it looks like it could be a battle between defending champion Barrington and Class B newcomer East Greenwich. Based on last year’s results, both appear to match up well with their top seven. Portsmouth, a runner-up last year, and Smithfield, could also secure top placements.
