Eastern Massachusetts Boys' Division 2
Two-time defending divisional champions Wellesley could to do it again this fall. At last year's meet, the Raiders swept the top three placements en route to a convincing 24-79 win over runner-up Marshfield. Individual titlist Benjamin Matejka has graduated, but 2-3 finishers, senior teammates Thomas Weiss and Matt Cervon, are back this fall. Marshfield and Mansfield are two other teams to keep an eye on this season. Both return a solid core of runners to the trails. It may be a rebuilding year for Needham, a third-place finisher at last year's meet. The Rockets lost their top six harriers from the divisional in 2016-17.
As for the individual title, it might be a better guess who will be fighting for second place. Thanks (or no thanks to his competitors) to the new alignment this year, Arlington and star runner Ryan Oosting have moved up to Division 2 this fall. Despite some quality runners, Oosting would seem to be the odds on favorite to break the tape at the division meet and do it again at the All State Finals. Beyond that, there's even potential for few more accolades to be accomplished on the regional and national level. That's what happens when you manufacture an outdoor track campaign like Oosting did this past spring as a tenth-grader. Coming off an indoor track season where he clocked 9:12 for two miles at the New Balance Nationals, Oosting was unbeatable against his state rivals on the outdoor surface, and won individual titles for the mile (4:14.20) and the two mile (9:05.85). He capped it all off in mid June by taking the national 5K crown in North Carolina with an outstanding PR of 14:36.13. While it's highly unlikely he can match that time on the uneven surface of cross country, it does give indication that he capable of running a time in the low 15-minute range this fall, a time that would appear out of reach for any of his rivals.