St. Raphael's Rory Sullivan caps her high school cross country career with a crown

NORTH SCITUATE — After her name was called and before she climbed to the top of the podium, Rory Sullivan gave fist bumps to each of the other top 25 finishers.

It was part sportsmanship, part appreciation for Rhode Island’s tight-knit cross country community, one the St. Raphael Academy senior was especially grateful to be a part of this season. When her father took a new job in Florida earlier this year, the family decided to find a way for Rory to complete her senior year in the Ocean State. She capped her cross country career in style by winning the state title on Saturday at Ponaganset High School’s Covered Bridge Course.

“It’s amazing. It’s everything I could have asked for and everything I dreamed of,” Sullivan said. “To have such great progression the last four years, it’s just amazing. I’m so grateful.”

History was made in the team competition, where Cumberland captured its first state championship since 1981. The Clippers totaled 79 points, good for a 37-point margin over second-place La Salle.

“Phenomenal group of kids is what got it done,” Cumberland head coach Marty Crowley said. “Last week, we didn’t run our best and I think that reminded us that we had some unfinished business. There are a lot of great programs — La Salle, NK, EG. Today was our day, and our kids ran great.”

Sullivan rose to the top in what figured to be a crowded lead pack. The past two state champions both graduated last year. The top three performers at last week’s class meets were within 25 seconds of each other, across three different races.

“I really just tried to focus on myself,” Sullivan said. “I was nervous, I’ll have to admit. It’s a big meet. To progress so much, I put some pressure on myself. I try not to look at social media. I was just focused on my race and not worrying about anybody else.”

Much has changed for Sullivan over the last four years. She started her career at North Kingstown High School and was part of a championship team in 2021, before transferring to St. Raphael before her junior year. Her dad moved to Florida over the summer, while Rory and her mother stayed.

Through it all, one thing that didn’t change was her trajectory. She finished sixth at the state meet as a freshman, fifth as a sophomore and third as a junior.

Sullivan went to the lead quickly on Saturday and stayed there throughout. The top challengers tried making a few moves, but Sullivan pulled away each time. She finished in 18 minutes, 8.79 seconds, with a comfortable 10-second lead on runner-up Erin vonHousen of Chariho.

“I’m in the best shape of my life,” Sullivan said. “To do this well, I’m really grateful. I have such great coaches and guidance and leadership. I’m just really thankful.”

The crowd cheering her on included her mother and her father, who flew back into town for the occasion. Sister Molly, who runs at Davidson College, was watching the online live stream.

“We’ve been separated since July so for him to be able to come back and watch me race was really special,” Sullivan said. “It’s difficult right now for my family. I wanted to finish my senior year in Rhode Island, so we were willing to make that sacrifice.”

After a disappointing state meet last year, vonHousen surged to silver in 18:18.30. Pilgrim’s Keaney Bayha, Cumberland’s Kiley DeFusco and Mt. Hope’s Jessica Deal rounded out the top five.

The race for the team title was as open as the individual competition. Cumberland finished second to La Salle in Class A last week, but a peak performance on Saturday flipped it.

“We’re so excited that we won,” DeFusco said. “We’ve been training the whole season to get to this point. We’re so happy that all of our hard work paid off.”

DeFusco’s third-place finish topped the Clipper parade. Charli McCue (15th), Rose Tuomisto (17), Anna Bianchi (23) and Gabby Stoothoff (34) accounted for the rest of the scoring.

Top 20 Girls finishers

1. Rory Sullivan, St. Raphael, 18:08.79

2. Erin vonHousen. Chariho, 18:18.30

3. Keaney Bayha, Pilgrim, 18:27.11

4. Kiley DeFusco, Cumberland, 18:35.41

5. Jessica Deal, Mt. Hope, 18:45.96

6. Madeleine O'Neill, Narragansett, 18:46.58

7. Abbie Tighe, North Kingstown, 18:47.47

8. Grace Doyle, Classical, 18:58.41

9. Alison Pankowicz, Toll Gate, 18:58.91

10. Jay Champlin, Moses Brown, 19:02.15

11. Emmy Belvin, Mount St. Charles, 19:10.69

12. Chandaniey Boyce, St. Raphael, 19:14.26

13. Lucy Stowe, North Kingstown, 19:29.14

14. Alyssa Parenteau, La Salle, 19:34.26

15. Charli McCue, Cumberland, 19:37.56

16. Allie Kaull, Portsmouth, 19:41.89

17. Rose Tuomisto, Cumberland, 19:42.31

18. Sofia Caito, South Kingstown, 19:44.35

19. Mia Bettez, La Salle, 19:47.28

20. Alicia Chen, East Greenwich, 19:48.30

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: St. Raphael's Rory Sullivan wins girls cross country championship