Here is the 2021 Providence Journal All-State Boys Cross Country team
Here are the All-State Rhode Island High School Sports Awards first and second teams for Male Cross Country. The First Teamers are all nominees for the Male Cross Country player of the year for the All-State Rhode Island High School Sports Awards to be held in the spring. The winner will be the announced at the show. More details about the program are coming soon.
During the live show, these nominees will be honored, along with the top three finalists and the player of the year. All official nominees can receive a free ticket. Check back later in the year for information on how to RSVP.
The All-State Rhode Island High School Sports Awards, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, is part of the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards, the largest high school sports recognition program in the country.
First Team
Henry Dennen
Cumberland, Senior
The Cumberland senior was on the cusp of something big each of the last two seasons but finally broke through in his final year. Dennen ran strong all year and saved his best for states, finishing in second place. It was the first time HE cracked the Top 10 at the state meet after finishing 16th as a junior and 13th as a sophomore and he closed things out at New Englands with a solid 39th-place performance.
More: Here's the 2021 RI Boys Cross Country Coaches All Class, All Division and All State teams
Devan Kipyego
St. Raphael, Junior
He wasn’t a preseason favorite, but when the season began it was clear this runner-turned-soccer-player-turned runner was a star. Kipyego finished 57th at states as a freshman, played soccer as a sophomore and this fall, dedicated to the sport, he dominated. His best performance came at the state meet, becoming the first St. Raphael boy to win the state title since 2001. He followed it with an 11th-place finish at New Englands and excitement about what next year will bring.
Cooper Michaud
Classical, Senior
Michaud has been a grinder since he began running with the Purple and blossomed in his final season. As a freshman he was a third-team all-division selection, improved enough to finish 31st at states as a sophomore, was a second-team coaches’ all-stater as a junior before exploding this season. In his final state meet, Michaud had his best finish, taking third place, one of two Classical runners to finish in the top six.
Jack Casey
La Salle, Senior
The only three-time first-team All-Stater to make the list, Casey closed out his career for the Rams with his best individual season. In his final state championship meet, Casey finished in fifth, besting his sixth-place finish as a junior and 10th-place finish in his sophomore season. He went back to Ponaganset the following week and finished 24th in the New England Championships.
Antonio Capalbo
South Kingstown, Senior
The Rebels’ indoor and outdoor star made a meteoric leap in his senior season. After finishing 21st as a sophomore and slipping to 37th as a junior, Capalbo’s hard work and effort paid off with a fourth-place finish at the RIIL State Championship Meet. He ran in the New England Championships the following week and closed out his cross country career with an impressive 37th place finish.
Nicholas Mott
Classical, Senior
Mott had a solid sophomore season, finishing 29th in the state, before coming on big with a 17th-place finish as a junior, earning a spot on the coaches’ all-state third team. Mott was terrific all season for the Purple and showed out at the state meet, finishing sixth overall and followed it up with a strong showing at the New England Championship Meet, where he took 23rd, making him the third Rhode Islander to cross the line.
Troy Silvestri
Hendricken, Junior
In his first state meet as a sophomore, Silvestri showed what kind of talent he could be with a 12th-place finish, earning a spot as a second-team All-Stater. That potential only grew this past fall. Silvestri makes his debut as a first-team All-State selection after finishing seventh at the state meet, which he followed with a 16th-place finish at the New England Championships. He’ll enter next season as one of the favorites to claim that top spot.
More: Here's the 2021 RI Boys Cross Country Coaches All Class, All Division and All State teams
Second Team
Nathan Evans, Lincoln, Junior
Wilson Jablonski, Hendricken, Senior
Kaden Kluth, Portsmouth, Senior
Cole McCue, Cumberland, Junior
Evan McGregor, Hendricken, Senior
Adam Thibodeau, La Salle, Senior
Keegan Tierney, Hendricken, Junior
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Here is the 2021 Providence Journal All-State Boys Cross Country team
