The two-time returning Gatorade State Runner of the Year, the 5-foot-11, 140-pound senior won his third-straight state meet this past season with a time of 14:56.09, breaking the tape 57.83 seconds ahead of his next-closest competitor and leading the Rams to a first-place finish as a team. Principe was the winner at the Nike Cross Nationals Northeast Regional championships, qualifying for a third trip to the NXN Final, where he placed 21st to earn Third-Team All-American honors. A four-time Junior Olympic All-American, he won the 2016 New England Cross Country Championships and was undefeated against in-state competition.
Principe has maintained an A average in the classroom. He has signed a National Letter of Intent to run cross country on scholarship at Stanford University this fall.
In addition to volunteering at multiple area road races, Principe has participated in food drives for the needy on behalf of his church and as a mentor to prospective La Salle students. "In my estimation, D.J. is without a doubt the greatest cross country runner ever to come out of the state of Rhode Island," said Jim Doyle, head coach of Bishop Hendricken High. "He has taken the bar of greatness to an all-time high through his years of continued dedication and commitment."
