Northfield Mountain’s tough 5K layout certainly proved challenging to runners and teams at Saturday’s MIAA Division 1 State Championship. Just two runners managed to break 16 minutes in the boys’ race, while only five went under 19 minutes for girls.
In one of the closest races of the day, Wellesley’s Charlotte Tuxbury was able to defend her crown in Div. 1B with solid 18:46.10. She finished just 35 meters ahead of Westford Academy’s Emily Wedlake, who was timed in 18:53.94 for second. Tuxbury and her two siblings, junior Emma Tuxbury (19:27.02) and freshman Maddie Tuxbury (19:32.04) went 1-2-4 in the race, but it was Westford Academy that earned the team crown, upsetting the Raiders, 50-55. Wedlake was followed by Diya Shrestha (eighth, 20:18.31), freshmen Emily Deeks (ninth, 20:19.08), Rosa Deeks (12th, 20:25.70) and Sydney Weiss (23rd, 20:49.49).
To no one’s surprise, Westford Academy’s Jack Graffeo cruised to the boys’ title with a time of 15:41.07. Natick’s John Bianchi secured runner-up honors in 16:01.0. Concord Carlisle survived a close 99-102 decision over second-place Natick.
Greta Hammer and Neeham were victorious in the Div. 1A girls’ race. Hammer was alone at the finish with a key win over defending champion Aoife Shovlin. The Rocket junior broke the tape in 18:13.91. Shovlin was a distance second in 18:57.01. Just eight points separated the top three squads with Needham securing the crown, beating Lexington, 81-86. Weymouth was third with 89 points.
Boston College High went 1-2-3 in the boys’ race. McGarth was the only other runner to go sub-16 at Northfield, crossing the line in 15:50.23. Senior teammates John Wilson (16:01.47) and Shamus Lanard (16:02.32) took the next two spots. The Eagles also claimed team honors, defeating Brookline, 57-97.
Billerica’s Gianna McGowan (18:44.15) and Mason Niles (16:19.36) were the respective girls’ and boys’ individual winners in Div. 1C. With just 36 points, Billerica took the girls’ team title. Reading was the boys’ champion with 70 points.
