Morrissey Wins Class B Girls Cross Country Title
South Kingstown's Emma Morrissey took the Class B girls state cross country crown at Ponaganset Regional on Saturday.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Running
South Kingstown runner Emma Morrissey won the Class B girls cross country state championship in 18:24.22 at Ponaganset Regional in Glocester. La Salle, Barrington and Moses Brown claimed the Class A, B and C team titles.
Why it matters
Morrissey's win gives Rhode Island high school running a clear individual standout heading into the next weekend's state meet on the same course. The results also set the field for a competitive follow-up across divisions.
Morrissey's 18:24.22 finish edged Carly Gill's 18:31.75 in Class B, while Alyssa Parenteau won Class A in 18:34.92 and Mackenzie Lickert won Class C in 18:50.42. Team scoring was decided by La Salle (38 points, Class A), Barrington (31, Class B) and Moses Brown (41, Class C), and the next state meet's outcome remains undetermined.
The players
Emma Morrissey
A South Kingstown runner who won the Class B girls state cross country title and is a possible addition to the Rebels program.
Carly Gill
A Class B runner who finished second in 18:31.75, behind Morrissey in the girls state championship.
The details
Morrissey came out of the woods along the tennis courts with a comfortable lead over Carly Gill and protected it through the finishing straight flanked by pumpkins. The race was held over 3.1 miles at Ponaganset Regional in Glocester.
Timeline
October 31, 2026: Class and JV state championships held at Ponaganset Regional in Glocester.
November 7, 2026: Next weekend's state meet is scheduled on the same course.
Season Trajectory
The Class B result positions Morrissey as a leading individual contender for the next state meet and shapes the competitive picture across the Rhode Island high school cross country season. The team and individual results from Ponaganset Regional will carry into the final championship weekend.
Morrissey's win makes her a strong individual pick for the November 7 state meet, which could affect how fantasy and bracket watchers weigh the Class B field. The result also confirms Ponaganset Regional's course as the venue for the final championship weekend.
The takeaway
Runners and fans tracking Rhode Island high school cross country should watch the November 7 state meet, where Morrissey's Class B form will be tested on the same course. Early season results like these often shape which athletes draw attention for college recruiting.
What happens next
The next state meet is scheduled for November 7, 2026, on the same Ponaganset Regional course.
Further reading
For more on the sport, see our Running coverage of Rhode Island high school cross country.
