RHODE ISLAND STATE MEET

Cumberland Girls Win Again, Bishop Hedricken Boys Run Streak To Four Years

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Winning has all of the sudden second nature to the Cumberland High girls cross country program.

After capturing the program’s first state title in 42 years last fall, Saturday at Ponaganset High School’s Covered Bridge Course, Cumberland placed all five of its scoring runners in the top 11, with freshman Cecelia Ludwig placing third overall in 18:40.06, to win the girls Rhode Island state title with 34 points.

North Kingstown was second (84 points) and La Salle Academy was third (88 points). 

Pilgrim senior Keaney Bayha made history for her school as claimed the school’s first individual state title. Her winning time was 18:19.2. North Kingston sophomore Abbie Tight was second (18:28.9).

Distance powerhouse Bishop Hendricken won its fourth consecutive crown with 64 points. Sophomore Colby Flynn paced the team with a third-place finish (15:43.5). The team had four runners in the top 20. 

One of the top underclassmen in the country, Marshal Vernon of La Salle Academy, won the 5,000-meter race in an impressive time of 15:00.7. He beat out fellow junior, Sean Gray of Portsmouth, who was second in 15:11.82. 

The top 25 individuals and top six teams from the state champions will now move on to the New England Championships held Saturday, Nov. 9 at Wickham Park in Manchester, Ct.  

TEAM CHAMPIONS

Bishop Hendricken boys 64 points; Cumberland girls 34 points

CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS (Saturday, October 26)

Class A: Bishop Hendricken boys 30 points; La Salle girls 52 points 

Class B: East Greenwich boys 32 points; East Greenwich girls 27 points 

Class C: St. Raphael Academy boys 46 points; Moses Brown girls 29 points