The sun was shining on a cool Saturday morning at St. Paul Catholic as the Falcons hosted Bristol Central and Bristol Eastern in the annual city cross country championship meet.
And what a meet it turned out to be.
Bristol Central swept both team championships, but both the boys and girls won by a point over one opponent. The Rams edged out the Lancers, 27-28, on the boys’ side. For the girls, Central had the upper hand against St. Paul, 27-28. The Ram boys topped St. Paul, 22-35, while the girls beat Eastern, 23-35. The Eastern boys beat St. Paul, 24-33, while the St. Paul girls got past Eastern, 22-38.
“BCXC💪🏽💪🏽 Boys & Girls are City Champions! We are so very proud of our kids for sticking with us & battling EVERY DAY!” tweeted Central coach Tamara Stafford on Saturday. “Congrats Frankie Individual Champ 2nd year in a row! Today was all about team & family❤️🐏 #smallbutmighty #bristolallheart”
For the second straight year, Central’s Francis Porrini III was the winner on the boys’ side, doing so in 17:16. Eastern’s Dominic Tartarelli was second, followed by Central’s Christopher Roy in third, St. Paul’s Matt Doherty in fourth, and Eastern’s Jack Mulcunry in fifth.
Eastern’s Kaelyn Gonzalez won the girls’ race in 22:00. St. Paul’s Maddie Bielecki was second, followed by Central’s Sophia Stark in third and Katie Tran in fourth. St. Paul’s Gretchen Radcliff rounded out the first five finishers.
BRISTOL XC CITY CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday at St. Paul Catholic
BOYS’ TEAM RESULTS
Bristol Central 27, Bristol Eastern 28
Bristol Central 22, St. Paul 35
Bristol Eastern 24, St. Paul 33
BOYS’ INDIVIDUAL TOP 10
1. Francis Porrini III (BC), 17:16
2. Dominic Tartarelli (BE)
3. Christopher Roy (BC)
4. Matt Doherty (SP)
5. Jack Mulcunry (BE)
6. Patrick Wininger (BC)
7. Colin Reilly (SP)
8. Brendan Tartarelli (BE)
9. Aidan Gezelman (BE)
10. Lance Archibald (BC)
GIRLS’ TEAM RESULTS
Bristol Central 27, St. Paul 28
Bristol Central 23, Bristol Eastern 35
St. Paul 22, Bristol Eastern 38
GIRLS’ INDIVIDUAL TOP 10
1. Kaelyn Gonzalez (BE) 22:00
2. Maddie Bielecki (SP)
3. Sophia Stark (BC)
4. Katie Tran (BC)
5. Gretchen Radcliff (SP)
6. Charlotte Jennings (SP)
7. Lauren Ayotte (BE)
8. Lynae Lewis (BC)
9. Emma Cavallari (BC)
10. Calista Oria (SP)
PHOTO CREDIT: Tamara Stafford, Bristol Central cross country coach via Twitter