(Revised)
This Saturday, many teams throughout the state and region will be flocking to Western Mass to strut their stuff at the renowned Amherst Invitational. This weekend will serve as the first real test for many teams to fire on all cylinders. The challenging, rural 3.1-mile course is tucked in the Hampshire College campus and has been home to some exciting early season match-ups–this Saturday should be no different!
At 11:20 AM on Saturday, the starter’s pistol will fire and the Varsity Girls will be off and running. At the front of the pack will be the clashing of contenders from all regions of Massachusetts and beyond. Looking to improve on her runner-up finish at Amherst last year will be Woodstock (Vt.) junior Carmen Bango. Though she will certainly have her hands full with a group of girls from Eastern Mass. Right by her side will be the reigning state champion Kaley Richards from Lowell. Last year, Richards was truly a dominant force in cross country, winning all but one race last fall (2nd@ Manhattan College Invite). Looking to overthrow Richards will be Margie Cullen and Sarah Armstrong, the formidable duo from Needham. Cullen and Armstrong respectively placed 3rdand 5th last year at the Mass All-State Finals and helped secure the team title for Needham over Lincoln-Sudbury. Other girls looking to throw their hats in the ring will be Juleann Schultz of Shepherd Hill HS, Elizabeth Costantino of Notre Dame Hingham, and Collette O’Leary of Milton HS.
On the team side of the girls’ race, it looks everyone will be trying to stop the young ladies from Needham. The Lady Rockets have a strong 1 -2 punch with Cullen and Armstong and they also return all but one girl from last year’s state-title-winning team. If Needham slips, look for Lowell, NDA Hingham, and Milton to be filling in.
Once the dust settles from the girls’ race, the boys will have a chance to unleash their speed throughout the Amherst countryside. Last year, Ben Doiron of Westfield finished third at this meet in a respectable time of 16:03. This year he will be top the returner and will certainly be eyeing a victory to kick off his senior year campaign. Another top returner from last year’s race to keep an eye on will be, Connor Evans of Amherst. Evans will rely heavily on home field advantage and his deep knowledge of the rolling course. Looking to upset the boys of Massachusetts will be a duo from the venerable squad of Danbury HS, CT. This year the Hatters will be lead by Ryan Ansel and Cory Mullins. Ansel was a member of the 2012 Danbury team that won the Amherst Invitational and this year he will be looking for both team and individual glory. Other potential challengers on Saturday will be Cody Kingman of Shepherd Hill HS, the winner of last week’s Vineyard XC Invitational, and John Benner of Needham, as well as Grant Hauver of Wachusett Regional HS.
Unlike the girls’ team race, a number of high schools are in the hunt for the boys’ team title. Last year, the boys from Lowell dominated the field and beat Shrewsbury by over 60 points.Though, this year the boys of Lowell will have to to handle the invasion of the squad from Danbury,CT. Danbury came to Amherst Invitational in 2012 and beat Westfield by 66 points. Definitely don’t expect a blow out this year, as on paper the boys team score is only separated by one point. I would be sure to keep an eye on those 5-6-7 guys, because this one race that is going to come down to the wire! It also wont just be two team battle, as Shrewsbury will certainly be a team out for revenge and one capable of victory. Teams also in the mix will be Amherst,, the hometown favorite, Needham, and Concord Carlisle.
<p> A weekly series previewing the weekend action in Massachusetts.</p>