Preseason Boys #16: Billerica

16. Billerica

Billerica may be the most interesting team in the Bay State. They return the second fastest miler in the state and one of the fastest freshmen in the country in Shane Leslie and Mason Niles. Technically neither is their top XC returnee based off time.

Sahil Gandhi had that honor last year with his 16:08 from The Bob Glennon Twilight Invitational. He had a strong outdoor campaign, running 4:29 and 9:39, but it will be hard to hold off Niles. As a freshmen last season, he was Billerica’s top finisher at the Meet of Champions and won the Division 1C race in an impressive 16:19 on the challenging Northfield Mountain course. After running a blistering 4:17 outdoors, expect a time in the mid to low 15s.

The question mark is Leslie who comes back with a 17:01 PR. Based off his track success, 4:12 Mile PR, he should be able to lower that quite a bit which would give them one of the best 1,2,3 punches in the state. Also look for junior Colin Ward to have an impact. After running 19:22 during the XC season, he ran 10:02 for two miles outdoors. Expect him to him to bolster their roster.

11 Sahil Gandhi                                  16:08

12 Shane Leslie                                  17:01

10 Mason Niles                                   16:19

11 Christopher Panzeri                       17:22

10 Ascot Drozdov-Armendia             17:41