The Highland Park Invitational is on tap this weekend in Attleboro Massachusetts. The action kicks off at 9:00 AM with the girls freshmen Race over 3K, followed by the boys. The Steve Newman Championship Races will start at 10:00 AM with boys followed by the girls. The meet also features an open 3K race for Boys and Girls.
Girl’s Race Preview
Last year’s race brought in teams throughout New England, with Haddam-Killingworth of Connecticut taking the girl’s race with 39 points. The top team from the Bay State was Bishop Feehan, narrowly edging Concord-Carlisle, 56-63. Sophie Shaw of Bishop Feehan won the race in 20:30 over Haddam-Killingworth’s Grace Mitchell.
Haddam-Killingworth is not listed in the entries this year, but Shaw and #19 Bishop Feehan return looking for the win in both the individual and team race. That will be a tough task as #11 Concord-Carlisle returns as well. This will be a great test for both teams to gauge where they’re at. Also watch out for Whitinsville-Christian. While they’ve only entered five runners, they looked strong between the Varsity and Junior Varsity race last weekend on the Vineyard.
The individual race should be an epic early season battle for those in attendance. As mentioned, Sophie Shaw is the defending champ and can’t be counted out. But a lot has happened since then. While she topped Maria Chopas of Concord-Carlisle last year, Chopas has since emerged as one of the Bay State’s best, running 10:53 for two-miles, and finishing 12th at the Meet of Champs last November.
As strong as those two are, the pre-race favorite (or favorites) would have to go to Emily Flagg and Abby Flagg. The dynamic duo made their debut together last weekend en route to 1-2 finish on the Vineyard. Can they repeat the same performance? Shaw and Chopas will certainly have something to say about it. Keep an eye on the clock. The course record of 17:50.90 held by Reese Fahys of East Greenwich has stood since 2021. With this group it could go down.
Boy’s Race Preview
Like the girl’s race, last year’s Champions East Greenwich, came from out of state. However, it doesn’t appear they’ll be making the trip up from Rhode Island this year. While last year’s runner up, Catholic Memorial will be in attendance, they appear to be resting they’re varsity squad after their victory at the Vineyard Invitational.
That leaves the boy’s race open for a new team to emerge. Boston Latin Academy was third last year and is entered for Saturday’s race. Our team to watch is Hopedale Jr/Sr. The Blue Raiders returns a solid team from last season. While they were only eighth last year, they finished the season strong at both the Division Championships and Meet of Champions.
Like the team race, the individual race is wide open as well. Andrew Carchedi of Bishop Feehan is one of the top returners from last year’s race. He comes in with a 16:47 5K best. Also watch out for Ben Stone and Quinn Cook of Hopedale.
