“Around the Course’’ By BOB LEDDY R.I. Track & Field Foundation Correspondent
Fall, 2011 has been an exciting season for cross country. The availability of invitational meets - both in and out-of-state - have afforded runners the opportunity to better their performances.
Today, Hendricken and the La Salle girls seek to retain their state team supremacy, which would mean the fourth consecutive title for the Rams. But this may prove a daunting task, what with the inclusion of many fine programs. For the La Salle girls, that means challenges from Barrington, South Kingstown and North Kingstown squads; all three programs have been ranked highly by coaches participating in R.I. Track & Field Foundation polls.
The Eagles are looking for their first state crown. South Kingstown has won the team championship on five occasions in the past. The Skippers are six-time R.I. team titlists.
The 19-time state-champion Hawks, meanwhile, will face stiff competition from Chariho. The Chargers have been fueled this season by 2010 All-Staters Mike Marsella, and Dan and Jake Kilcoyne. Senior Mark Vuono, juniors Tyler Henesler and Connor Doyle and freshman Mike Potter are top Hawk scorers. The course here at Ponaganset is ready, not only for today’s meet but next Saturday’s New England Championship. The regional event returns to Chieftain Country after a six-year time frame.
Here’s a brief look at who to watch for in each of the two title races:
GIRLS Toeing the starting line for the final time as a prep runner is two-time state champion Molly Keating. The La Salle senior has had a fine ‘11 campaign, finishing high at the Manhattan and Brown Invitationals. Last year, Keating won the state crown in a time of 18 minutes 52 seconds. If she wins today, Keating would become the second runner in the 39-year history of the girls’ cross country league to claim an individual trifecta - and the first to do it three years consecutively. (Coventry’s Nancy Krowlewski was state champ in 1980, ’82 and ’83). The Rams are also returning three first-team All-Staters from last year: Emily Papazian (fourth); Caroline Falvey (fifth) and Evie Jansen (seventh).
But don’t lose sight today of Barrington High’s runners. The Eagles are strong with No. 1 Abby Livingston in the fold, and are hoping to secure their first state team championship since the Cheryl Twomey-led squad of 1994. Last year, Barrington finished second to the Rams in team points, followed by the Rebels. Barrington will also field All-Staters Alice Burgess,and Fiona Paine. Those three Eagle runners powered Barrington to the Class A crown last weekend here.
South Kingstown is led by junior Kendall Feaster and senior Paige Ethier. Cranston West’s Michaela Hackett is a returning All-Stater. Ethier logged the best time of the day at the Class championships (19:14) in winning the B event. Feaster placed fourth in the race.
Keep an eye today on North Kingstown’s Aisha Mc Adams. A talented junior, Mc Adams scored well at both the Ocean State and Brown Northeast Invitationals. She aced the Class A championship race last Saturday in a time of 19:19. Burrillville this season has benefited greatly from senior Anna Dumais, a winner at last month’s Providence Columbus Day championship, and a fifth-placer at the Class C title race. East Greenwich’s Mollie Anderson and Margaret Mc Caffrey, Bay View’s Julia Watson and Erica Johnson and Westerly’s Jackie Burr should all finish well. Burr, the Bulldogs’ No. 1 all season, finished third in the Class B Championsips (20:06).v
BOYS Besides the aforementioned Hendricken and Chariho runners, watch for senior Dylan Verner-Crist, of Barrington, Mount St. Charles senior Pat Butler, St. Raphael senior Bob Parker and La Salle junior Adam Rego. Ben Fazio, the East Greenwich junior, has enjoyed a successful ‘11 season, and will be in the mix today, as will Avenger teammates Caleb Gladstone and Chris Millman. Cumberland’s team, this year’s Northern Division champs, have benefited from the scoring of junior Trevor Crawley and senior Matt Sutcliffe.
All eyes will be on the No. 1 man from Chariho High. He’s senior Mike Marsella, and he smoked the field here last weekend at the Class A Championships. Running with a smooth stride, the Charger long ranger clocked 15 minutes 37 seconds. Marsella entered the Class A run as the top-ranked male harrier in New England (No. 7 in the United States).
Coming up behind Marsella last weekend were two of his talented teammates: the Brothers Kilcoyne: senior Dan and junior Jake. Dan Kilcoyne placed second in the Class A race (16:09), to Jake’s third-place 16:12.
The defending-champ Hawks have their usual scoring power; and, portentous of future success, an impressive freshman. He’s Mike Potter, and last weekend on this course he placed fourth in the Class A event (16:14). Senior Vuono has been a four-year Hendricken stalwart, and is backed in the scoring department by juniors Henesler and Doyle.
Trevor Crawley is the Clippers’ top man. He placed fifth in the Class A field last weekend (16:24). For La Salle, it’s senior Andrew Estrada and junior Mike Stephens leading the charge, along with promising freshman Jake Grundy. Mount St. Charles, which always produces good runners, has one this season on its boys’ team. Senior Pat Butler looked impressive last Saturday in acing the Class C title (16:42). St. Raphael’s Bob Parker, also impressive this fall, finished second in that race (16:49). Verner-Crist has been Barrington’s No. 1 runner this fall. Verner-Crist won the Class B race with a 16:57 clocking. The Eagles then went 2-3 in that race, with junior Connor Royley (17 minutes) and Will Casazza, another junior, third (17:26). Eagle senior John Connolly helped his squad to the Class B title, finishing sixth. Watch for Lincoln High seniors Alex Carlson and Matt Olean. Last weekend, Olean came in fourth in the Class B run (17:31), with Carlson placing fifth (17:37).
