Lowell Boys’ Team Claims First State Title !

NORTHFIELD — For the past three years, the Lowell boys’ cross-country team had come agonizingly close to winning the Division 1 state title. After a fourth-place finish in 2009, the Red Raiders were runners-up to Brookline the next two seasons. “We’ve been knocking on the door,” said coach Phil Maia. “It was nice that someone opened the door for us.” With five runners in the top 35, Lowell claimed its first state title Saturday at the MIAA all-state meet at Northfield Mountain. The Red Raiders’ score of 96 topped Westfield (149) and Shrewsbury (175)