FOSTER, RI – Alison Pankowicz earned an all-state spot and Toll Gate boys notched their best placement in a decade as the Titans shined at the Rhode Island State Cross Country Championships on November 4.
Pankowicz led the way on the girls’ side with a personal best of 18:58.91 on the challenging 5-kilometer course, earning her ninth place and a second-team all-state honor. “I was happy to break 19,” said the senior captain who recently committed to the University of Rhode Island where she received an offer to run Division 1 cross country and track. Pankowicz was followed by the freshman duo of Mea Ayotte and Anna O’Donnell, who also both ran personal bests, finishing in 72nd and 83rd, respectively.
Joshua Maynard led the Toll Gate boys team with a 35th-place finish, clocking in at 17:01.36. Teammate John Maynard had a finish time of 17:16.98 for 42nd place. Rhontahn Vega, William Goodine, and Oisin O’Donnell all ran personal bests to round out the top five for the Titans. Ryan Brady and Jake Andersen finished as the sixth and seventh runners for Toll Gate, respectively.
The race, held at the historic Ponaganset High School Covered Bridge Course, was held under ideal conditions with cloudy skies and temperatures in the 50s.
This marks the third straight year that the boys’ team has been among the 18 teams to qualify for the State Championships. Their 12th-place finish is Toll Gate’s best performance since 2013, when a Titan squad led by Alex Pires, Evan Cummiskey, and Nick Mattioli also finished 12th.
