R.I. Track & Field Foundation
31 Dec. – – La Salle senior David Principe on Saturday set new Rhode Island and New England indoor records for the mile run. Competing at an “all-comers mini-meet’’ on the banked Boston University track, Principe clocked a winning time of 4 minutes, 4.47 seconds (= 3:46.4 @ 1500m). Principe’s time is currently ranked No. 1 United States.
Principe’s performance breaks the regional mile standard of 4:06.92, set in February by Tom Ratcliffe, of Condord-Carlisle High in Massachusetts. Rhode Island’s previous record was 4:08.33, set by Principe’s former Ram teammate Jack Salisbury at theFeb. 14 New Balance “Grand Prix’’ meet at Reggie Lewis Center.
On Saturday, DJ went through the 800-meter mark at 2:03.5, and clocked a negative split 29.9 over the final 200 meters.
Finishing second in the race was Brian Doyle, running unattached, in 4:09.46. Doyle, currently an assistant track coach at Davidson College in North Carolina, ran track at Hendricken High (Class of 2010) and Providence College.