Cranston's Principe tabbed Gatorade R.I. Runner of the Year

Matt Metcalf, Assistant Sports Editor
Posted 1/22/15

La Salle’s D.J. Principe, of Cranston, was named the Gatorade Rhode Island Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year last Thursday.

Principe, who is just a sophomore at La Salle, was this year’s …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Cranston's Principe tabbed Gatorade R.I. Runner of the Year

Posted

La Salle’s D.J. Principe, of Cranston, was named the Gatorade Rhode Island Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year last Thursday.

Principe, who is just a sophomore at La Salle, was this year’s boys state champion in cross country. He won the state title in the fall with a time of 15:37.17.

Principe is a two-time first team All-State selection, in addition to being named a first-team All-New England pick this year and second-team All-Nike Northeast Regional. To earn those honors, Principe finished sixth at New Englands, the top finisher from the state of Rhode Island, and eighth at the Nike Northeast Regional event.

Rams’ head coach Ken Skelly had the highest praise for his All-Stater.

“D.J. is a very gifted runner, but he doesn’t let it get to his head,” Skelly said. “I need to remind myself that he’s only a sophomore because his maturity is like that of a senior leader.”

Principe was a main reason why the Rams won their second-straight regional title.

He went on to impress on the national stage as well this season, finishing 75th overall in the country at the Nike Team Cross Country Nationals at Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland, Oreg. in early December. La Salle placed 18th as a team at the national event.

“He knows when to speak up and offer praise to his teammates and when to be reserved and let the running do the talking,” Skelly said. “He has such a true passion for running and he gets that from his father. That passion of his is infectious, as the team loves to be together and run with each other as he is a contributing factor to the devotion and morale of the La Salle Academy boys cross country program.”

Luckily for the Rams and Skelly, Principe still has two more years at La Salle Academy. But by the way that he carries himself and handles adversity, one would never be able to tell that he’s only a sophomore.

“He handles adversity very well and responds with the ferocity of a professional athlete, as the desire to win is always present in his mind, body and soul,” Skelly said. “I love to watch him compete. There is an unwavering confidence he has about him and is always up to racing no matter who the competition might be.”

Skelly has no doubt in his mind that Principe was the right choice for this award, as his accomplishments on and off the course have been second to none.

“D.J. is the complete package with the grades, the community service and the accomplishments of running,” Skelly said. “So there is no doubt that D.J. was an excellent and fitting choice to be selected as the Rhode Island recipient of the Gatorade Player of the Year for Boys Cross Country.”

Coming into the year, Principe set a goal of winning a state championship.

Not only did he earn the title of state champion, but he made a name for himself on the regional and national level.

Now he can say that he’s the Gatorade Rhode Island Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year.

“I along with coach Myers, coach Mercurio and coach McGinn, recognize how special it is to have an athlete like D.J. running for La Salle Academy and are truly thankful for his effort, maturity and passion that he shares with us and his teammates,” Skelly said.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here