Principe repeats New England title on home turf

By Mary Albl for DyeStat 

NORTH SCITUATE, RI -- In the final in-state cross country race of his high school career, La Salle Academy’s David Principe Jr. left the Rhode Island scene just like he entered it: With authority. 

Saturday at Ponaganset High, with the home-course advantage as the setting, Principe ran to his second-straight New England Championship title, crossing the line in 15 minutes, 13.39 seconds. 

“I am fortunate enough to run this course a lot, so I’m pretty comfortable with it, pretty familiar what works for me, when I need to make my move,” Principe said. “I wanted to go out a little conservative and just kind of make sure I was ready for that last mile if anybody was going to be there.”

The only one who was there was Patrick O’Brien of Oyster River NH, who hung with Principe for the first mile on the 5,000-meter course. O’Brien finished runner-up in 15:20.93. 

O’Brien came into Saturday’s race having won the New Hampshire Meet of Champions in 15:03.4 -- nearly a minute faster than anyone. 

“I have been running pretty well in New Hampshire with not that much competition to push me,” O’Brien said. “I wanted to come in here, knowing I’m racing someone as good as DJ and tried to hang with him. After the mile he started to pull away from me and he extended that gap. But I was still really happy with the race, I mean, you can’t expect to come in here and beat someone like him.”

Principe, who will run for Stanford next fall, became the first male runner since Donn Cabral of Glastonbury CT in 2006-07 to win back to back New England titles. 

“It’s definitely an honor,” Principe said. “Coming in as a freshman, I wasn’t really sure if that was really something attainable. I’m thrilled to be able to do it with great coaches and teammates by my side.”

In the team race, Staples of Connecticut continued its dominant season, winning the crown with 72 points. The victory snapped a three-year streak by La Salle. The Rams finished second (103).

“We looked really good,” Staples senior Zak Ahmad, who placed third overall (15:30.81), said. 

Staples placed all five of its scoring runners in the top 25. 

“It’s so cool to come in your senior year and have such a historic season,” Ahmad said. “It’s cool to be a part of.” 

Danbury CT finished third (158). 

GIRLS

Saturday’s New England Championship girls race literally could have been renamed the New Hampshire Meet of Champions. 

Jackie Gaughan of Exeter (NH) won the title in 17:34.11. Runner-up was Leya Salis of Bedford NH ran 17:54.90, while Bishop Guertin NH's Caroline Fischer captured third (18:00.60).

A week ago, the trio captured the top three spots at the MOC with Salis and Fischer flip-flopping positions. 

“Knowing that most of the competition was from my state as well, I was like, ‘OK I know these people, we’ve worked together this entire season,’” Salis explained. 

The familiar faces took away some of the pressure for Gaughan, who became the first runner not named Hannah DeBalsi since 2013 to win. She said she wasn't burdened by expectations.  

“Today I was just trying to focus on running my own race and not get caught up in too many strategies or be freaked out,” Gaughan said. “I’ve always wanted to win a New England title and I’m glad I could finally do it.”

Ellie Lawler of South Kingston (RI), who finished second last year, overcame a spill at the start to finish fourth (18:01.10). 

In the team race, Champlain Valley Union of Vermont won with 121 points. Souhegan NH finished second (163) and Pinkerton NH was third (227).