Amherst Invitational 2012

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. 

Weekend Video Recap  This weekend produced three fantastic races in the Northeast, including the dominating performance by CBA at the Bowdoin Classic.  The Manchester Invitational in New Hampshire had another dominating performance by Bishop Hendricken (RI), and a battle between Burnt Hills (NY) and Champlain Valley (Vt) on the girls side. The Amherst Invitational also saw some outstanding races.

Jordan O’Dea dashed across the finish line and then limped through the finish chute at yesterday’s Amherst Cross Country Invitational, gasping for air and looking to get out of the hot sun. The Dennis-Yarmouth senior quickly made her way to the makeshift first aid tent just beyond the finish line and began drinking cups of water and cooling herself off with cold facecloths. As tired as O’Dea was though, her smile was unmistakable. O’Dea has every reason to smile after her first invitational performance of the fall. The defending Div. 2 state cross country champion got bumped around at the starting line, but by the time she reached the mile mark in a quick 5:19 O’Dea had a 20-yard lead and was starting to pull away. She ran unchallenged the rest of the way and crossed the finish line of the rural, 5K Hampshire College course in a quick 18 minutes, 6 seconds. O’Dea’s time put her well ahead of Stella Worters of Shepherd Hill (18:37) and Mel Devoney of Amherst Regional (18:42).

Alli Cash rolls Rim Rock. US#1 Christian Brothers Academy started their quest for another national title in Wappingers Falls NY with a perfect 15 score. (Photo by Michael Frazier)