The State Meet is now a distant memory, and so too is the New England Championships.
What’s left for our cross-country athletes? For the select few whose seasons continue, attention now turns to the Nike Cross Regionals – Northeast (NXR-NE) and the Brooks XC Championships. Judging by what’s happened over the last two months this fall, particularly in the most recent competitions, Rhode Island certainly has a chance to shine brightly in the postseason.
You got to love what Bishop Hendricken did at this past weekend’s New England Championships, winning its lucky 13th team title in the school’s history with a 58-87 win over PInkerton (NH). The Shore Coaches (NJ) Invitational last month saw the Hawks finish third overall. It was another great measure of how they match up with the region’s best heading into NXR-NE. In the most recent regional rankings, the Hawks were at No. 2 with Pinkerton at No. 3. Right now, top-ranked Christian Brothers Academy (NJ), a team currently ranked No. 4 nationally, looks untouchable at regionals on Nov. 22. But trust us, the Hawks certainly have a legit shot to secure the second and last qualifying spot for a trip to Oregon for the Nike Cross Nationals (NXN). Next week, Ocean State Running will preview what’s potentially in store for the Hawks and our other top teams and individuals that will be making the trip to Bowdoin Park in N.Y., for the regionals.
We talked with Hendricken coach Jim Doyle after his squad won its fifth consecutive state title on Nov. 1. He ranks his latest team right up there with the others that have achieved greatness during the cross-country season. Over the last 16 years, the Hawks have earned a trip out west to the nationals three times, winning NXR-NE in 2009 and 2021 and placing second in 2018. The runner-up team nearly made the podium at NXN, taking fourth overall.
“The thing about this team is they’re young,” Doyle said. “Our jayvee team, our supporting cast, they’re amazing. Any one of those guys could have been on the line today. It’s an amazing team.”
The Cumberland girls, ranked No. 4 in the Northeast, also head into NXR-NE with plenty of momentum. As reported previously, the Clippers placed second overall with 121 points—a deceiving 32 points behind Champlain Valley Union (VT). CVU currently holds the No. 3 spot in the Northeast rankings, with Union Catholic (NJ) and Penn Charter (PA) occupying the top two. It will be interesting to see how the Clippers perform when they make trek to Wappingers Falls, N.Y., later this month.
Finally, is there anyone hotter right now on the trails than Sean Gray?
The Portsmouth senior became Rhode Island’s 12th runner in history to capture a New England individual title. It was the first since former St. Raphael standout Devan Kipyego claimed the 2022 crown. Former La Salle great DJ Principe won back-to-back crowns in 2015 and 2016.
Gray outpaced friendly rival Marshall Vernon of La Salle by 16 seconds, clocking 15:53.13 on Thetford Academy’s notoriously challenging 5K course. Both Gray and Vernon now have a legitimate shot at becoming only the third Rhode Islander ever to win the NXR-NE championship.
Principe took the title in 2016, while Kipyego claimed the crown in 2022.
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It’s only a matter of time before our attention shifts indoors, with the winter track & field season fast approaching. Once we receive the schedule, we’ll share the important dates. Here’s one to mark on your calendar: on Sunday, Dec. 28, it’s the third annual Marathon Sports Winter Classic at the TRACK at New Balance. The meet will feature 15 events, including running races from the 60-meter dash to the 5K, as well as field events such as the shot put, weight throw, and all jumping events.
