MANCHESTER, N.H. - New England's smallest and flattest state produced some big time performances on the punishing hills of Derryfield Park on Saturday at the New England Cross Championships.
The first three finishers in the boy's 5-kilometer race were Rhode Islanders. Mark Feigen, an East Greenwich senior, nipped Westerly's Andrew Springer, also a senior, to capture the coveted New England crown. Feigen posted a time of 15:47.1, less than second ahead of Springer. In third place was junior Nick Ross, also of East Greenwich, who crossed the finish line in 15:50.
Another Rhode Islander, Connor Mercurio, of LaSalle Academy, was 6th, in 15:56.
The top three boys teams from Rhode Island were Bishop Hendricken, 9th with 294 points, last weekend's State Champions; Chariho, 11th, 367 points; and Barrington, 13th, 387 points.
RI INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS BY CLASS BASED ON THE RESULTS OF THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 3.1 MILE COURSE AT PONAGANSET HIGH SCHOOL (Nov. 2, 2008)
Andrew Springer, Westerly High School, set a new course record of 15:14; while Jenna Riley, a senior from Coventry High School, fought off two competitors to win the girl's race in 18:38. Bishop Hendricksen and LaSalle Academy claimed team titles.