Principe takes New England deuce in 8:59.05!

DJ Principe was on a mission from the start.

Rattling off a succession of sub 34-second 200s, the La Salle Academy junior cruised to a meet  and state record of 8 minutes, 59.05 seconds in the two mile run at the New England Championships on Sunday. After hitting his opening mile at 4:28, Principe broke away from chief rival Eric van der Els of Brien McMahon and from there it was just a race against the clock. Van der Els finished second at 9:11.02. Principe's time ranks No. 2 in the country.

The La Salle standout was one of several R.I athletes that earned gold at the regional meet, held at the Reggie Lewis Athletic Center. In the 1,000-meter run, Ram senior Jack Salisbury established a state record of 2:28.40.

Classical senior Nathan Narcisse, who last week captured his second straight title in the 55m hurdles at the state meet, took his specialty with a time of 7.60. The Purple's May Stern was the first across the line in the 300m with a near best of 38.94. 

La Salle senior Eliza Rego made it back-to-back crowns in the mile run with a winning time of 4:53.84.

RESULTS