By Michael Letendre
MERIDEN – The Bristol Central boys cross country squad split with both Lewis Mills and host Maloney on Tuesday from Hubbard Park in Meriden.
And while Central turned away Maloney with ease (20-41), the program fell to a talented Lewis Mills program (22-37).
The race came down to two outstanding athletes: Justin Cascio from Lewis Mills and Bristol Central’s own Frankie Porrini.
And the Rams’ outstanding competitor had a career afternoon.
In a near photo finish, Cascio was better than Porrini by just a split second.
Cascio won the CCC South tilt in 15:58 while Porrini finished in 15:59 – an excellent time by the junior competitor.
The Rams had other runners place among the top-10 including Christopher Roy (fourth place) and Ryan Sarmiento (ninth).
Rounding out top seven for the Rams’ program was Patrick Wininger (19:26), Lance Archibald (19:30), Tyler Wilson (19:34) and Joshua Poulin (19:43) who all finished under twenty minutes from Hubbard Park.
“We had a tough loss to Lewis Mills today but our relatively young team continues to show progress,” said Central coach Tamara Stafford-Kirk.” Frankie Porrini had an outstanding race today, breaking 16 minutes for the first time ever in a cross country race.”
On the girls side, Central fell to Maloney (25-30) and Mills (22-36) but the young crew gained invaluable experience with another race under their collective belts.
Maloney’s Samantha Park won the event in 20:41 while Mills’ Ginny Mullen (21:47) was the runner up.
For the Rams, Sophia Stark (23:59) took fifth place, teammate Maura Waters (24:09) was right behind in sixth while Katie Tran (24:38) seized ninth.
Also for the Rams, Johannie Juarez (14th, 28:20), Rachel Griffin (17th, 33:42), Gianna Leone (18th, 33:58), and Janelle Brand (19th, 34:25) all made strong finishes for the program.
“The Central girls have lost some tough races this season, but with only ninth and tenth graders on the team we are continually improving,” said Stafford-Kirk.
And next week, it’s a little city series battle.
Central travels to Page Park on King Street as Bristol Eastern is hosting the event this year.
The Lancers and Rams will join up with St. Paul Catholic in what should be a very competitive bout.
Meet time is 3:45 p.m.
Bristol Central Cross Country
BRISTOL CENTRAL 20, MALONEY 41
LEWIS MILLS 22, BRISTOL CENTRAL 37
from Hubbard Park vs Maloney and Lewis Mills
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
1. Justin Cascio (Lewis Mills), 15:58
2. Frankie Porrini (Bristol Central), 15:59
3. Jameson Sederquist (Lewis Mills)
4. Christopher Roy (Bristol Central)
5. Jack Curry (Maloney)
6. Zachary Barth (Lewis Mills)
7. Apollo Josephso (Lewis Mills)
8. Nick Atkins (Lewis Mills)
9. Ryan Sarmiento (Bristol Central)
10. Josh Mazar (Lewis Mills)
Rounding out top seven for Central:
Patrick Wininger (19:26)
Lance Archibald (19:30)
Tyler Wilson (19:34)
Joshua Poulin (19:43)
Bristol Central Girls Cross Country
MALONEY 25, BRISTOL CENTRAL 30
LEWIS MILLS 22, BRISTOL CENTRAL 36
from Hubbard Park
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS – Top 10
1. Samantha Park (Maloney), 20:41:00
2. Ginny Mullen (Lewis Mills), 21:47:00
3. Savannah Vasquez (Maloney), 21:54:00
4. Gabriella Zeller (Lewis Mills), 22:43:00
5. Sophia Stark (Bristol Central), 23:59:00
6. Maura Waters (Bristol Central), 24:09:00
7. Yana Telnov (Lewis Mills), 24:19:00
8. Trinity Moulton (Lewis Mills), 24:23:00
9. Katie Tran (Bristol Central), 24:38:00
10. Marcella Slason (Lewis Mills), 24:40:00
Top Finishers for Central
14. Johannie Juarez, 28:20:00
17. Rachel Griffin, 33:42:00
18. Gianna Leone, 33:58:00
19. Janelle Brand, 34:25:00
