2016 Eastern MA Girls XC Individual Preview (D1-D3)

MASS XC 2016 Preview

D1 INDIVIDUAL 


( 2015 Girls Eastern MA Champs D1 Race) 

Clare Martin  SR  Newton South HS 

Though her former partner in crime, Rebecca Grusby, is now off and running in college, don't expect a lack of high quality performances from Clare Martin this fall. The Newton South senior is certainly one of the heavy favorites to sweep both the Eastern MA D1 title and the All-State title. She captured the D1 title last fall and with her strong success on the track, Martin's lethal speed will be tough to overtake on a course such as Gardner. In addition to being the top returner, Martin will be at the helm of a Newton South squad that has the potential to sweep team titles and potentially earn tickets to NXN. That should prove to be a big motivator for Martin throughout the fall! 

Jessica Ostraski  SR  Peabody HS 

Looking to do her part for the Lady Tanners at the front end of races, Jessica Ostraski will be a top contender among her D1 competitors this fall. Ostraski's season in 2015 was highlighted by a strong 6th-place finish at Eastern MA D1 Champs and an All-States performance that earned her 18th place overall. On the track, Ostraski improved greatly and went from being a 12:01 two-miler to ending outdoors with a personal best of 11:21. Given her success over junior year, Ostraski is definitely a top-5 finisher at Eastern MA Champs and should be eyeing a top-10 finish at All-States. 

Alexandra Wolf  SR  Lexington HS

Once again the leader of a very strong Lexington squad, Alexandra Wolf will be out to provide a heavy first punch for her team this fall. Doing her part last year, Wolf led the ladies of Lexington to a very strong team victory at the Bay State Invitational with her 4th place 18:59 performance. A few weeks down the road, Wolf appeared to be a little off her game at Eastern MA Champs, but still held to 16th place overall. Righting the ship a week later in Westfield, Wolf took 24th place overall and helped Lexington finish in 4th place as a team. The indoor season for Wolf would produce some strong showings in the mile and mid-distance events, but unfortunately we wouldn't see anything from Wolf over the spring. Hopefully all is well and she had a successful summer to set herself up for a big senior year! 

Sara Mitchell   SR  Acton-Boxborough HS 

After a big year on the track, Sara Mitchell will be hoping to see some of that newly found mile speed translate well over to the cross country course. Last fall, Mitchell's best racing came at Eastern MA Champs and All States, where she placed 8th and 41st respectively. Luckily for Mitchell, who got down to 5:06 in the mile this spring, both Wrentham and Gardner should play very well into her strengths. If all goes smoothly throughout the Fall, Sara can target a Top 5 finish Eastern MA Champs and a run at the Top 20 at All-States.

Einat Gavish  JR  Newton North HS 

As a sophomore last fall, Gavish was Newton North's #1 runner and saw strong races at both Eastern MA Champs (9th) and All-States (38th). Though we imagine that Gavish had to be slightly disappointed with the All-State performance due to placing 30th in 2014. Despite a tough end to the 2015 cross country season, Einat persevered on the track and saw progression in numerous mid-distance events. No longer an underclassman, Gavish has plenty of championship meet experience to propel her to big-time finishes later this fall. 


Pre-Season Eastern MA (D1) Rankings (FULL LIST)

PlaceAthleteYrTeamTimePoints

1Clare Martin11Newton South High School18:24.891
2Jessica Ostraski11Peabody19:05.922
3Alexandra Wolf11Lexington High School19:17.633
4Katherine Collins11Newton South High School19:28.714
5Sara Mitchell11Acton-Boxborough High School19:30.705
6Einat Gavish10Newton North High School19:34.126
7Caroline Barry10Newton South High School19:42.027
8Grace Leightheiser11Lexington High School19:50.018
9Jenna Solimine11Haverhill High School19:50.929
10Kesinia Sorter9Lexington High School19:51.1810