By Michael Letendre

NORTH SCITUATE, RI – The top cross country runners from Connecticut and beyond took center stage at the annual 2022 New England Championships on Saturday.

And at the boys event from Ponaganset High School in North Scituate, Rhode Island, Bristol Central’s own Frankie Porrini finished his final scholastic cross country race by making a top-35 showing over soggy and wet conditions. 

Porrini placed 34th at the New England Championship event with a time of 16:37.8. 

“Frankie had a strong senior cross country season,” said Central coach Tamara Stafford-Kirk.

The field was loaded with several strong runners from Connecticut which included Porrini.

St. Raphael Academy’s Devan Kipyego won the individual championship behind an outstanding time of 15:24.7 overall.

Ridgefield’s own Steven Hergenrother – the winner of the CIAC State Open event – was the runner up in 15:37.20.

Also from the Nutmeg State, Hall’s Isaac Mahler placed sixth overall (15:46) while Rocky Hill’s Brayden Bayek (seventh, 15:47.80) wasn’t far off that mark.

And Fairfield Warde’s Parker Broderick ended up in 22nd place with a time of 16:27.6 which was just 10 seconds better than Porrini’s outstanding finish.

But even as the fall running season has come to a completion to end his scholastic cross country career, Porrini has plenty more to accomplish as indoor track quickly approaches.  

“We are really looking forward to see what he does on the track, indoor and outdoor,” said Stafford-Kirk.