Mt. Hope High School cross country co-captain Nick Januario, ran the Ponagansett covered bridge course with a time of 16:48 setting a record for the fastest time by a Huskies runner, at the state …
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Mt. Hope High School cross country co-captain Nick Januario, ran the Ponagansett covered bridge course with a time of 16:48 setting a record for the fastest time by a Huskies runner, at the state meet on November 5. Januario placed 24th overall at the meet and bested the old Mt. Hope mark by ten seconds. The previous school record was set by Bryce Obrien in 2015. Nick was a freshman that year and was the third best runner on the team, behind O’Brien and Riley Rancourt, both seniors.
“Nick is far and away one of the most naturally gifted runners I have ever coached, and has as bright of a future in running,” said Huskies head coach Dennis Welch.
Januario’s talents are beyond running. He is also very successful academically and is a top musician in the state. The runner plays for the Mt. Hope High School band and the Rhode Island Philharmonic youth ensemble.
His performance at the state meet, set Januario up to be just the second runner in school history to qualify for the New England championship meet. The first since 2007.
Januario ran in the New England meet held at Belfast, on November, 11. Despite a cold and windy Maine day and forgetting his running spikes, Nick ran a great race and placed 135th to earn All New England, with a time of 17:09.
“Once he got onsite and was going to do a warmup, he realized he was missing a shoe. Thankfully his dad managed to talk to another team’s coach who had a kid with an extra pair, and while a bit too big, at least he was able to have a pair of spikes to run in for the meet,” said coach Welch.
During the Huskies cross country season, Nick was the leading points scorer for the team and was selected to Second Team All Division and Second Team All Class.
Januario will return for his senior year and the Huskies look to have a strong team.
“No doubt we have high expectations next season. We have all of our varsity runners returning from this season, and they will only get better,” said coach Welch. “ Nick will continue to improve. If he can get in the training I plan to have him doing from now until next season, I see him making All State.”
Along with Nick, Ryder Ferris, Cam Rancourt and Keegan Hanley will return as seniors. Hunter Heyden, Ben Harley and Josh Moore will also return to the team.
“A couple of them are really hungry after having some success this year, so look for them to improve even more. And while it’s a tall order, our goal is to finish in the top three in our division, as well as to win the class meet. The talent is there, now it’s just a matter of putting in the work, said the coach.