Depth Of Lowell
The defending state champions made a statement on Saturday that the state title still must go through them. Displaying depth throughout the line-up, the Lowell HS boys cross country team placed 5 runners in the top 17 to beat out 23 other teams including runner-up Danbury (CT) en route to winning the 20th annual Amherst Invitational on the grounds of Hampshire College. Lowell ran in small groups throughout the race and seemed to be in control of the race from the start. Chris Polanco (junior) led the way for the Red Raiders in 3rd place overall (15:55), moments later, he was followed into the chute by his classmate, Anthony Rodriguez in 7th (16:03). Lowell seized control of the race in the middle spots with seniors Chris Gendron (10th, 16:19), David Crueger-Cain (16th, 16:34) and Jon Valenzuela (17th, 16:37) packing it in and completing the scoring. Sean Bryan (senior, 30th, 17:03) and Conor Donovan (40th, 17:27) also ran well for the top ranked team in Massachusetts.
"We ran well and are pretty happy overall," said Lowell Head Coach Phil Maia. "Obviously it's very early in the season but this was a good indication that we are fit and if we do the right things, hopefully we can be there in the end" said the veteran coach.
This was another hot, sunny day for this early season test of cross-country teams from across 4 different New England states. Several ranked teams were in attendance and many top individuals were looking to make a statement that they need to be watched as the season progresses. Lowell however, proved that even though we are on to 2015, you should expect more of the same from them as the season continues.
"We have a great tradition and the kids are working hard to keep the positive results coming in,"said Maia. "We're training hard in practice and the coaches are pushing us and we have so many guys running fast, Our whole team loves to race and we have been looking forward to this meet all summer" said Chris Polanco.
Proving Polanco's point, the Red Raiders also placed 6 in the top 8 and 9 in the top 15 of the JV race, moreover, in the Freshmen race, they placed 2 in the top 5. If the Red Raiders can get senior Tom Abraham back in the line-up, they could be even more formidable. When asked about the status of his Ace runner, Coach Maia responded, "we're hoping to get him back soon". Until then however, it will have to be the depth of Lowell that carries them, possibly all the way to another championship.
Other Boys Notes:
The overall winner of the Boys Division was Jackson Southard from Shrewsbury High School. He finished in 15:48, a two second victory over Western Mass Champion Liam Sullivan of Northampton (15:50). Southard, who finished second place in 2014, was able to hold off a charging Sullivan for the victory. Chris Polanco of Lowell (3rd / 15:55) , Jonathan Allard of Keene, Nh (4th / 15:56), and Jack Adamski of Danbury, Ct ( 5th / 15:58) rounded out the Top 5. Two of the strongest teams in Connecticut battled it out for the runner-up spot behind Lowell. Danbury scored a very respectable 79 points to capture second place over rival New Milford (156 points).
Long Takes Title Number Two
It maybe early in the season, but Abigail Long of Bishop Feehan is off to a fast start. Long's hard work is paying dividends as she has captured her second title in eight days. The Junior ran away from the field early and was virtually unchallenged as she hit the tape at 18:11. Last week, Long won the Martha's Vineyard Invitational in similar fashion in 18:19.
One of the most impressive performances of the day was from Freshman Sophi Jacobs-Townsley of Amherst Pelham Regional. The amazing 9th grader ran 18:47 to finish second overall in the varsity division behind Abigail Long. Ivy Walker of Pomperaug, Ct (3rd / 18:54), Ally Ruessling Hampshire Regional (4th / 19:00) , and Sophomore Jamie Falla of Wachusett finished fifth in 19:18.
The girls team title went to Pomperaug High School from Connecticut with 92 points. Northampton scored 114 Points to finish second place.
Other Girls Notes:
The Freshman girls race witnessed two teammates battling it out over the last 100 Meters. Rebekah James narrowly defeated Emma Whitehead as both just missed breaking the 20 Minute barrier. The Shepherd Hill teammates ran 20:01 and 20:02
Video's (coming soon)