By Michael Letendre

BRISTOL – The Bristol Central boys cross country team was in the mix on Tuesday against Plainville and Middletown in the Rams’ CCC South home opener from Rockwell Park in Bristol.

The Plainville program is having one of its best seasons in recent memory but was nearly toppled by the Rams in the end.

The Blue Devils won the meet, defeating Central by a 24-33 final while stomping Middletown 15-49.

The Rams also defeated the Blue Dragons by the same 15-49 score.

Central’s split against the CCC South foes saw the Rams move to 3-1 on the young season.

And the ultimate winner of the race ended up being Central’s Frankie Porrini, an excellent junior competitor, who finished the course at Rockwell Park in 17:55.7 to take the event.

From there, Porrini had to wait over a minute for the runner-up of the race to cross the finish line.

Plainville’s Chase McNamara finally finished the event for Plainville, ending the fray in 19:02.8 for second place.

Central’s Chris Roy took third off a very good 19:13.1 time while the Plainville duo of Val Kasabrukha (fourth, 19:50) and Charles Lasko (fifth, 20:02) helped round out the top five.

Top finishers for the locals included Lance Archibald (eighth, 21:07.7), Ryan Sarmiento (10^th, 21:38), Tyler Wilson (11^th, 21:42.1) and Josh Poulin (12^th, 21:49.1) to help keep Central competitive against the Blue Devils.

Scott Petrosky (14^th, 22:13.4), Reggie Gonzales (15^th, 22:27.6), Patrick Wininger (16^th, 22:37.8), Jude Browning (18^th, 23:30) and Emil Berube (19^th, 24:07.1) all helped to round out Central’s day.

On the flip side, Central’s girls squad battled on the Rockwell Park course but fell to Plainville and Middletown in the end.

The Rams lost to Plainville by a 15-44 tally while dropping a 15-46 decision to Middletown.

Elise Kennedy won the race for Middletown in 24:10.6 while Plainville’sGianna Rodriguez (24:59.4) nabbed second place.

Rounding out the top five were Plainville’s Tierra Giannelli (third, 25:02.9), Penley Giola (fourth, 25:06.3) and Hailey Andersen (25:24.6, fifth).

Central did have runners place throughout the top-25 – led by the finish of Maura Waters.

Waters nabbed 11^th place in 26:04.7 while teammate Sophia Stark took 14^th in 26:51.2.

Katie Tran (15^th, 28:02.2) and Johannie Juarez (21^st, 33:02.9) all ran well for the home team.

Central’s schedule for both the boys and girls squads resumes in October as the Rams take a part of the Harry Geragty Invitational on the first of the month at 4 p.m.

Then on Tuesday, October 5, Central is at Hubbard Park for the second time this season to square off against Lewis Mills and host Platt in Meriden at 3:45 p.m.

And then on October 14, it’s the annual city series cross country meet as Central and St. Paul Catholic battles Bristol Eastern from the Lancers’ home course at Page Park.

That meet commences at 3:45 p.m.

Bristol Central Boys Cross Country

PLAINVILLE 24, BRISTOL CENTRAL 33

BRISTOL CENTRAL 15, MIDDLETOWN 49

PLAINVILLE 15, MIDDLETOWN 49

from Rockwell Park, Bristol

Individual Results

Winner: Frankie Porrini, Bristol Central, 17:55.7

Runner-up: Chase McNamara, Plainville, 19:02.8

Rounding out the top Five: Chris Roy (third), Bristol Central, 19:13.1; Val Kasabrukha (fourth), Plainville, 19:50; Charles Lasko (fifth), Plainville, 20:02.

Bristol Central’s Top Finishers (Top 20):

Lance Archibald (eighth), 21:07.7

Ryan Sarmiento (10^th), 21:38

Tyler Wilson (11^th), 21:42.1

Josh Poulin (12^th), 21:49.1

Scott Petrosky (14^th), 22:13.4

Reggie Gonzales (15^th), 22:27.6

Patrick Wininger (16^th), 22:37.8

Jude Browning (18^th), 23:30

Emil Berube (19^th), 24:07.1

Bristol Central Girls Cross Country

PLAINVILLE 15, BRISTOL CENTRAL 44

MIDDLETOWN 15, MIDDLETOWN 46

MIDDLETOWN 27, PLAINVILLE 28

from Rockwell Park, Bristol

Individual Results

Winner: Elise Kennedy, Middletown, 24:10.6

Runner-up: Gianna Rodriguez, Plainville, 24:59.4

Rounding out the top Five: Tierra Giannelli (third), Plainville, 25:02.9; Penley Giola (Plainville), 25:06.3; Hailey Andersen (Plainville), 25:24.6

Bristol Central’s Top Finishers (Top 25):

Maura Waters (11^th), 26:04.7

Sophia Stark (14^th), 26:51.2

Katie Tran (15^th), 28:02.2

Johannie Juarez (21^st), 33:02.9