RHODE ISLAND STATE MEET

Gorriaran, Kipyego Go Out On Top In Rhode Island; Freshman Lisa Raye Offers Glimpse Of Future

By Mary Albl of DyeStat 

Saturday’s Rhode Island State Track and Field Outdoor Championships marked the final prep meet for two of the best distance runners in state history. Under cold and windy conditions at Conley Stadium in Providence, Moses Brown’s Sophia Gorriaran and St. Raphael’s Devan Kipyego went out in style.

Gorriaran, who will run for Harvard this fall, won the girls 1,500 (4:35.24) and set a meet record in the 800 (2:06.52). She also ran on the winning 4x400 relay (4:02.08), guiding her team to a fifth-place finish. 

Kipyego, who will join his older brother Darius at Iowa State in the fall, won the boys 800 (1:54.20), and anchored his team to a win in the 4x800 (8:08.42) as the team finished fifth overall. Kipyego’s weekend capped off a busy last few weeks as he won the Running Lane Championships mile (4:03.65) in Alabama, and then competed in the HOKA Festival of Miles last Thursday. He’s set to run at Brooks PR Invitational in Seattle on June 14. 

The West Warwick girls scored 67 points to claim the program’s first state title. West Warwick was powered by freshman sensational Lisa Raye as she won four gold medals — the 100 (12.23), 200 (24.95) 100 hurdles (14.87) and 300 hurdles (44.08). Sister Xenia Raye also impressed with wins in the 400 (57.77), second in the 200 (25.55), and third in the 100 (12.50). 

For the boys, Bishop Hendricken dominated the competition with 113 points to make it a sweep for the year, claiming the cross country and indoor track titles. Bishop Hendricken had five individuals place in the top eight in the 3,000. 

In the field, Lincoln swept the hammer, as senior Jillian Leahy captured first with a mark of 167 feet, a US#5 mark, while fellow senior Christian Toro took first with personal best and US#2 throw of 229–3. 

Team Champions 

Bishop Hendricken boys 113 points; West Warwick girls 67 points - RESULTS

RII Class State Championships - May 21

Class A: Bishop Hendricken 254 points; Cranston girls 163 points - RESULTS

Class B: Barrington 90 points; South Kingston girls 128 points - RESULTS

Class C: St. Raphael Academy boys 150 points; Moses Brown girls 151 - RESULTS