By Michael Letendre

SOUTH WINDSOR – Frankie Porrini, one of the standout cross country runners of the Central Connecticut Conference, isn’t just the heart and soul of the program over at Bristol Central.

He’s the leader of the team, a model student-athlete, and has simply taken the 2022 campaign by storm.

And the senior continued his torrid pace at the 10th Harry Gerraghty Cross Country Invite on September 30, winning the race from Nevers Park in South Windsor.

Porrini was in a battle against Glastonbury’s Harrison Krause and the duo finished 1-2 at the event.

The Central harrier won the race in 16:04.2 while Krause (16:14.2) was the runner up.

Porrini ran an average mile time of 5:10.4 to help tally the winning mark.

But Glastonbury’s top-five, like Central, is an excellent grouping.

And the Rams finished third overall as a program, just one point behind second place Hall (61).

Glastonbury won the day with a 33-point showing as the team had four racers cross the line over a top-nine showing.

Central’s Chris Roy was in the mix as well, placing fourth in 17:28.8 – another big finish for the outstanding senior.

Junior Patrick Wininger has been moving up the ranks as of late, finishing fifth in 17:51.2 while Bristol Eastern’s Dominic Tartarelli was seventh (17:55.6 overall).

Lancers’ standout Jack Mulcunry also had a good day, crossing the line in 18:14.6 while Central’s Lance Archibald (21st, 18:39.6) also had a solid showing on the course.

Central’s trio of Nick DiMatteo (34th, 19:46.9), Scott Petrosky (42nd, 20:02.1) and Braydan Dwyer (43rd, 20:09.9) all ran well for the program.

For the Lancers, Brendan Tartarelli (25th, 19:11.5), Aidan Tartarelli (28th, 19:24.8), Dylan Prince (29th, 19:25.8), Cole Beland (33rd, 19:44.5) and Aidan Gezelman (36th, 19:48.7) had good finishes at the mainly CCC event.

The Lancers had a great finish, placing fourth overall (98 points), one place behind Central.

On the girls front, Bristol Eastern freshmen sensation Kaelyn Gonzalez did extremely well in the varsity race – finishing up in 20:45.4 for fifth place – the second-best time by a freshman that day.

She beat every senior’s time on the course but one. Edwin O. Smith’s Briana Ashton placed third with a time of 20:34.8.

Central’s Sophia Stark was 13th overall (22:13.1) as the junior ran a very good race.

Teammate Katie Tran (21st, 23:01.3) wasn’t far off the pace while Eastern’s Lauren Ayotte was 31st overall with a finish of 23:49.8 to lead the Lancers.

Also running well for the Rams was Emma Cavallari (37th, 24:56.3) and 

Lynae Lewis (40th, 26:15.9).

Edwin O. Smith (19 points) won the girls race as all five of its runners placed in the top-8 in the team scoring.

In the girls JV race, Central’s Ruth Smith (29th place, 27:02.8) made the best finish of any local competitor.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

All TBE readers, supporters and donors            

The Bristol Edition will be limiting the number of stories non-members and free readers may access each week. This decision is based on our financial projections and, most certainly, to remind people that TBE is serious about providing accurate, timely and thorough reporting for Bristol. To do this we have devised a financial support structure that makes unlimited access extremely affordable, beginning with a $6 monthly donation.            

• Non-members will be able to access eight (8) articles per week.            
• Free readers and people who have subscribed by email will be able to access eight (8) articles per week.            
• Donors and financial supporters will have unlimited access as long as they log in.            

Note: Donors may have to contact TBE if they find they are being limited, since we will need to set up a membership account for you. Email editor@bristoledition.org for instructions. Sorry for any inconvenience. People with financial difficulties may write editor@bristoledition.org to be considered for free access.