Battle Of The Borders: Bragging Rights On The Line


Bragging rights. It's all about bragging rights. On Saturday, teams from Massachusetts and New Hampshire will collides at the 14th annual Battle of the Borders at Alvirine High.

In last year's event, New Hampshire swept the team titles. Concord claimed the boys' crown with 42 points, averaging a crisp 16:25 5K by its five scoring runners. Alvirine won the girls' prize with an equally low 43-point score. All five of its scorers placed among the first 18.

Who will win the Battle of the Borders this weekend? Can the host state make it a clean sweep again or will Massachusetts return the favor?  Those questions will be answered this weekend.

Representing New Hampshire at this year's meet are Alvirne, Campbell, Central (girls), Coe-Brown, Concord, Con-Val, Londonderry, Merrimack, Nashua South (boys), Salem, Pelham, and Winnacunnet (boys). The Bay State schools scheduled to compete are Boston Public Schools, Groton-Dunstable (girls), Lowell (boys), Marshfield (boys), North Andover, Parker Charter Essential, and Tyngsborough.

Concord is currently ranked No. 1 in the Granite State and is listed as the favorite to repeat on the boys' side. Marshfield appears to be the top contender from MA to dethrone the reigning titlist. According to meet officials, Lowell, another strong MA team, will be sending its JV squad, which still should challenge among the upper-echelon of teams. 

Several teams should figure in the mix in the girls' race, including Alvirine, Coe-Brown, Con-Val, Merrmack, Manchester Central, Tyngsboro and North Andover.

MileSplit MA will have a preview of the meet coming soon, including Virtual Meets of the Varsity races!

TIME SCHEDULE

2 p.m. - Freshman Girls

2:30 p.m. - Freshman Boys

3 p.m. - JV Girls

3:40 p.m. - JV Boys

4:15 p.m. - Varsity Girls

4:45 p.m. - Varsity Boys