Melina Devoney

Mike Miller recaps the Western Mass State Championships at Northfield.

Every three years, when the All State Meet heads West to Northfield, the MSTCA puts on an invite there to get runners accustomed to the steep climb of the early portion of the race. Some simply put their head down and find a way through the hills, while others would prefer hiring a Sherpa, viewing the steep ascent as more of a death march than a cross country race.

In an experience one has to see to fully comprehend, the Thetford Woods Trail Run is a mudders dream, a mountain climb, followed by a fast descent, on a course that might prepare you for Northfield, but one that you aren't fully prepared for. Amherst and Needham put up two spirited battles on the girls, then the boys, sides, each finishing with the Hurricanes coming out on top of the Rockets, just as they did a few weeks ago on their home course.

The Senior from Amherst High School led her team to vicotory at the Amherst Invitational. Devoney finished third place behind Dennis Yarmouth's Jordan O'Dea and Stella Worters of Shepard Hill. Amherst scored 99 points with an average time of 19:36.  Last year Devoney finished 4th at the Western Mass State Meet, and a strong 36th place at the All State finals. Look for both Devoney and her teammates to make a run at a State title as they are very familiar with the hilly course of Northfield Mountain.

Blake Croteau is finally healthy and he has Westfield teammate Tim Dostie to push him.  Mel Devoney has made tremendous strides in her second year of running cross country for Amherst.     Croteau, Dostie and Devoney were among the local standouts at the 17th annual Amherst Invitational cross country meet Saturday at Hampshire College in Amherst. All placed among the top five.  Croteau, who battled illness all last season, finished second in 15:54 in a race won by Colin Bennie of Wachusett in 15:41. 

Fast times were the order of the day as the PVIAC Championships were moved to Holyoke Community College because of last week's storm. Amherst won both team titles, while Mark Hegarty and Camille Blackman captured the individual crowns.