Connecticut Teams Sweep Titles at New Englands; Ruth White of Maine Repeats

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Saturday afternoon Devan Kipyego added to an already special week. After announcing his official commitment to Iowa State, where he’ll join older brother Darius on the track and field team, Kipyego won his first New England Cross Country Championship.

Competing against the top individuals in the New England region, the St. Raphael RI senior won the 5,000-meter race in 15 minutes, 24.7 seconds at Ponaganset High close to home in Rhode Island. Second place went to junior Steven Hergenrother of Ridgefield CT in 15:37.2, and third was Birhanu Harriman of Lebanon NH (15:39.6). 

It was Kipyego's third consecutive race on the Ponaganse course and he was satisfied with the overall win after finishing just outside of the top 10 at New Englands a year ago. Kipyego in unbeaten this fall. He’ll turn his attention next to winning NXR Northeast on Saturday, Nov. 26, at Bowdoin Park and look to qualify for NXN. 

In the boys team race, Connecticut State Open champion William Hall scored 89 points to win the program’s first New England title. Hall, led by junior Issac Mahler’s sixth-place finish, had three runners finishing in the top 25. Second place went to Bishop Hendricken of RI  with 97 points, while Ridgefield CT was third (161 points). 

In the girls race, standout junior Ruth White of Orono, Maine, easily defended her New England title, winning by more than 40 seconds in 17:51.3. Second place went to Brianna Malone of Portsmouth Christian NH (18:33.6), while Tess Drury of Mt. Mansfield Union VT was third (18:46.9). 

Connecticut made it a team sweep, as Glastonbury, fresh off winning the State Open crown, claimed the program’s second New England title with 116 points. Champlain Valley VT was second (133 points) and New Milford CT was third (174 points).

Team Champions

Hall Boys 89 points; Glastonbury girls 116 points - RESULTS