North Kingstown placed third in 2023 and last year finished as the runner-up to two-time champion Cumberland. While we expect the battle for the top three spots to be close, the Skippers are our pick to continue their upward trajectory and capture the title this season.
Avoiding the injury bug will be key for NK, which returns all seven of its varsity members from 2024. With that experience, the Skippers have the potential to place four runners inside the top 10 — or at the very least, the top 15.
Leading the charge is the junior duo of Abbie Tighe and Lucy Stowe, who placed second and fifth, respectively, at last year’s championship. Tighe ran a personal best of 18:28.96 at Ponaganset, finishing just eight seconds behind winner and recent Pilgrim graduate Keaney Bayha. Stowe also dipped under 19 minutes, clocking 18:48.44. Don’t be surprised to see both harriers battling up front for individual honors this fall.
Rounding out the Skippers’ front pack are senior Abigail Nicolopoulos and junior Maura Whitney. Along witb their teammates, both were key members of North Kingstown’s state-champion 4×800-meter relay last June and have shown steady progress over the past two years. With their continued development, each has the potential to dip under 19 minutes and further strengthen NK’s title push.
As with any team at the top level, the fifth runner will be cruical for the Skippers to win their first state crown since 2021 and ninth overall. That’s where the gap will be biggest for NK. Right now, filling the back end of its lineup are sophomore Riley Morrison and seniors Devan Kolbe and Hannah Duva, who all fall in the 21-22 minute range.
If the gap can be closed and everyone stays healthy, the Skippers will be tough to beat come early November.
