RHODE ISLAND STATE MEET

La Salle Academy Sweeps For The First Time Since 2016

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

While the structure was different, the result was familiar Saturday at the Rhode Island Interscholastic League Cross Country State Championships.

Split into two races per gender, the La Salle Academy program put forth a dominating effort, claiming the boys and girls titles at Ponaganset High School. It was the first time since 2016 the Rams claimed both state crowns. 

While considered a national title contender, returning many from a young but talented 2019 squad that placed sixth at the NXN Championships last fall, the La Salle boys didn’t get the national spotlight due to the pandemic. But the Rams did manage to string together an impressive localized season. After winning the Class A crown last week, the Rams ran to their second straight title, and fifth in the past seven years

Senior Jack McLoughlin, who is committed to Georgetown University, won his race and clocked the fastest time of the day on the 5,000-meter course, running 15:27.32. Teammate and fellow senior Chase Leach was third overall (15:34.98) as the Rams placed four in the top six and had all seven in the top 20 to score 24 points.

Bishop Hendricken was the runner-up with 60 points and led by senior Evan Reynolds’ second-place finish in 15:33.16. Standout 800-meter runner Darius Kipyego, a senior at St. Raphael Academy who recently signed with Iowa State, finished fourth in 16:00.07. 

In the girls race, La Salle, which also claimed the Class A crown last week with a near perfect score of 19, hung on to edge defending champion East Greenwich, 49-57. Led by senior Kaylie Armitage’s runner-up finish (17:58.53), the Rams put five runners in the top 20 to win their fifth title since 2013. Standout sophomore Reese Fahys of East Greenwich, who moved from Middletown South NJ this summer, used a strong final mile to win the race in an impressive time of 17:43.51. Middle-distance track standout Sophia Gorriaran, a sophomore at Moses Brown, finished third overall in 18:14.07.  

Team Champions - RESULTS

La Salle Academy boys, 24 points 

La Salle Academy girls, 49 points