EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence High School cross country teams have the unenviable position of being grouped annually during the regular season in the ultra-competitive Metropolitan Division, and 2024 will be no different.

The league consists perennially of the two of the best female programs in the state, Barrington and LaSalle, while the Eagles and Rams, respectively, are also among the premier male programs in Rhode Island. Both genders at Portsmouth and Moses Brown aren't too shabby either, making the top tier of the Metro a difficult group to crack.

Which means the EPHS sides usually are in a battle to be among the next-best teams in the division. The boys are coming off a 4-6 dual meet record while the girls had one of their best falls in duals in a recent memory a year ago after going 5-7.

EPHS boys' head coach Bob Lyons said among the aims for his Townies this season are "a winning regular season meet record and to qualify for the Rhode Island state championship meet. Although both of these goals are lofty, the team is working hard to give themselves their best chance of attaining them."

EPHS girls' head coach Pati Piros was quite ebullient about her team's potential saying, "the team is stronger than ever, boasting one of our largest rosters in recent years. The enthusiasm and energy from both returning runners and newcomers have created a vibrant and competitive atmosphere."

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The Townies are bolstered by having 29 runners on the boys' roster, which pleases Lyons and in his view means "competition will be strong for the top seven spots who run in championship level events."

Those in the mix for the coveted counting positions at meets include senior team captain Will Anthony, who qualified as an individual for last year's state championship meet; senior Deacon McShane, Jason Brown; junior Daniel Lukusa, Ryan Mottur; sophomores Gerry Gagnon, Gus Belanger, Tristan Tysvaer, Ben Sousa; and freshmen Sean Black and Anthony Mendonca. Lyons said a number of the aforementioned "are just starting to realize their potential."

Lyons also mentioned the following runners whom he said "are improving on a daily basis," Kingston Ferreira, James Cassamas, Ethan Pereira, Max Correiro, Lukash Ambroz, Chase Cardin, Ethan Mendonca, Josh Francis, Aubrey Mitsch, Kaden Pires and Cristian Gonzalez.

More girls' notes
Piros, who has also been with the Townies during some leans falls over the years, said she is "thrilled to have some quality returning athletes leading the team" the likes of sophomores Sadie Gagnon and Abigail Beatrice along with senior Kathryn Patalano.

She called the trio "incredibly strong and experienced runners, bringing both talent and leadership to the squad. Their commitment and performance set a great example for the entire team."

Two more sophomores, Caitlin Chiong and Rachel Rajaratnam, also return to the fold, whose contributions to the Townies Piros calls "inspiring."

Sophomore Melany Sotomayer is among the newcomers to the club, who has already established herself among the Townies' top runners. Others new to the team are senior Melanie Colin, juniors Pooja Exhilmaran and Lia Urena, freshmen Sophie Olive, Margaret Thomson, Omolara Odumosu and Aneska Ambroz and sophomore Mia Satterlee.

"Their fresh energy and enthusiasm will undoubtedly strengthen our team as we move through the season," Piros said of the newcomers, adding of the season ahead in general, "Overall, the combination of experienced runners and new talent puts us in an excellent position for a successful fall season. We can’t wait to see how this team develops and achieves great things together."