Bengals' Title Hopes End With Dual Losses

From undefeated to third place.

The Bay View Academy girls’ cross-country team entered Monday’s quad-meet against East Providence High School, LaSalle Academy of Providence and Barrington High School at Roger Williams Park in Providence with a perfect 8-0 season record against Metropolitan Division opponents and sole possession of first place in the divisional standings. The Bengals, however, saw their title hopes rudely dissipate thanks to the superior depth of perennial powerhouses LaSalle and Barrington.

The Rams and Eagles claimed eight of the top 10 overall finishes and both handily defeated Bay View by scores of 19-42 and 20-41, respectively. LaSalle edged Barrington, 27-30, to clinch the divisional crown (while the Eagles finished as runners-up).

Competing with just two runners, the Townies forfeited to all three opponents.

In a boys’ tri-meet also staged Monday at Roger Williams Park, East Providence bowed to Barrington and LaSalle by identical 15-50 margins. The Eagles edged the Rams, 26-32, to end LaSalle’s seven-year reign as division champions.

Girls’ race

Bay View posted two top-10 performances in Monday’s competition, but failed to match the balance and strength of LaSalle and Barrington on a hilly 3.1-mile course. According to Coach Carol Beaudette, the Bengals were hampered by the absences of a pair of top runners.

“I think we did pretty well today considering that two of our top five – Emma D’Arpino and Tatianna Medina – sat out today because of minor injuries,” Beaudette said. “We did well.”

Erica Johnson claimed the overall No. 3 slot for Bay View in 19:17, and Julia Watson came in 10^th in 19:44. Also scoring for the Bengals were Amanda Dellagrotta (27^th in 21:17), Kayla Saucier (29^th in 21:22) and Caitlyn Galamaga (32^nd in 21:32).

“We’ve had a great season and were undefeated until today,” Beaudette said. “I knew LaSalle and Barrington would both be tough, so that’s why I kept those two girls out so I could rest them. We still have five weeks to the state meet and that’s what we are shooting for.”

East Providence failed to field a sufficient number of runners (five) to post official scores.

“We only have five girls on our team and only two could run today,” said East Providence Coach Leslie Eastwood. “Two are injured and one just had a death in the family.”

Townie Catherine Browning crossed the finish line in 22:53, and teammate Hannah Nahas came in at 27:41.

“Both girls ran well today,” Eastwood said. “I’m happy with their times.”

Boys’ race

East Providence placed just one runner among the top 30 finishers in Monday’s competition, but Coach Bob Duarte said he was satisfied with his squad’s performance. The Townies completed their division dual-meet season with a 4-5 record.

“We’re getting better,” Duarte said. “Our kids all had PRs (personal records) today for the most part and they’re progressing.”

Mike Monagle finished 27^th for East Providence in 18:32 on the 3.1-mile course and was trailed by teammates Josh Letendre (34^th in 19:10), Ryan Vieira (37^th in 19:17), Andrew Carmone (40^th in 19:25) and Eric Glowacki (52^nd in 20:38).

The Townies failed to qualify as a team for this year’s state meet based on their dual-meet record, but Duarte said another avenue is still available.

“We’ll have to qualify based on our finish at the Class meet,” he said. “If we don’t do it then, we’ll hopefully have a couple of individuals qualify based on best times this season.”

According to the Rhode Island Interscholastic League’s Web site (www.riil.org), boys’ and girls’ Class meets will be staged Saturday, Oct. 29, at Ponaganset High School in Glocester. Boys’ and girls’ State meets will be held at the same location Sunday, Nov. 6.