The Western Hills boys cross country team had a strong outing at the state championships, taking home a second-place finish.

The Cobras were led by eighth-grade captain Patrick McDonough, who took home an eighth-place finish.

“We won our division and won the city championship so we were confident, but you never know in cross country. We were hopeful, we hadn’t placed that high in a really long time though, so it as a bit of a surprise,” said Western Hills coach Nicole Renzulli Martins.

Renzulli Martins felt that the team’s depth is what helped guide it to the impressive finish.

“It’s great and we’re excited to continue to develop the (younger) runners. We have a good group coming back, so we should have another strong team next year. In cross country, you can’t win with just one really good runner. You need five consistent runners, so having that depth was very helpful,” said Renzulli Martins.

CLCF and Western Hills have boasted some of the top pre-high school runners in the state over the past few years, and Renzulli Martins feels that Cranston cross country is on its way to becoming a contender for years to come.

“They were really excited, our captain Patrick McDonough was probably more excited than anyone since this was probably his best season ever. Having the team come in second was a really big deal. It starts with the youth programs like CLCF. We have been building a really strong youth program, and if we continue to do that then funnel those kids into our middle schools and high schools, we may be able to eventually rival a team like La Salle,” said Renzulli Martins.

Here is a look at some of the local results: BOYS

Patrick McDonough led Cranston schools by taking eighth place for Western Hills, followed by teammate Jack Moretta in 15th. Hope Highlands was led by Christian Mak in 35th, while Western Hills’ Henry Prendergast took 39th and teammate Evan Lei 40th.

Jake Greene finished 59th for the Huskies, while Elijah Curran took 63rd for Western Hills. Daniel Alvarez followed in 70th-place in Park View while teammate Ben Evans took 84th.

Logan Johnson finished 95th for Hope Highlands, followed by Park View’s Alex Matthew in 102nd and Bain’s Nolan Serafin in 104th.

Gabriel Matthew took 110th for the Cougars, followed by teammate Eston Fowler in 119th. Western Hills’ Daniel Prendergast finished 125th, while teammate Matthew Petit took 144th.

Nate Dixon placed 158th for Hope Highlands, followed by Bain’s Domenic Prouen in 197th. Adrian Rosales took 205th for Bain, while teammate Cameron Felici finished in 207th.

Mahkih Theagene finished 218th for Park View, while Peter Grammas took 234th for Hope Highlands and Nathan Chhay 237th for Bain.

Colin Williams finished 243rd for Park View, while Ashton Rocchio placed 264th for the Huskies. Ryan Voccio placed 268th for the Huskies, followed by Bain’s Najon Lassiter in 274th. GIRLS

Courtney Rice led Cranston schools with a fourth-place finish for Hope Highland, while Maddison Dutra took 24th for Park View. Amy Zhang finished 37th for Hope Highlands, followed by Western Hills’ Quiana Pezza in 72nd.

Abigail Newton later finished 100th for the Cobras, followed by teammate Julia Saccoccio in 117th. Caoline Brennick took 121st for Park View, while teammate Tea Barrus finished behind her 126th. Samantha Sell took 178th for Hope Highlands, while Julianna Andrus took 183rd for Western Hills, and Caitlin Kiley 184th for Park View.

Lillian Ainley went on to finish 196th for Hope Highlands, followed by Park View’s Kara Bush in 198th and Western Hills’ Mia Santomassimo in 199th.

Maddie Tenaglia placed 221st for the Huskies, followed by teammates Pam Reichardt and Emma Regine in 227th and 228th, respectively. Anastasya Acosta led Bain with a 230th place finish, followed by Park View’s Clare Bradley in 232nd.