For the second straight week, Highland Park played host to a statewide cross-country competition. More than 300 athletes were at the Attleboro venue this past Saturday for the annual Highland Park Invitational.
A week after taking the top two spots at the Vineyard XC Invitational, the twin-sister duo of Emily and Abby Flagg were once again the two fastest on the dirt trails. Making a case early in the season that they’ll be a force in the Division 2 ranks, the junior siblings both went sub-19 minutes again in the featured Championship race. Emily captured the individual crown in 18 minutes, 23.04 seconds, while Abby earned the silver in 18:42.62. Concord-Carlisle’s Maria Chopas secured third in 18:52.35.
Concord-Carlisle, a team ranked No. 11 in our BSR power rankings, defeated Whitinsville Christian for the team title with a 32–49 decision. Finishing behind Chopas for the Patriots were Alex Skelly (fifth, 20:15.33), Pelinn Turner (eighth, 20:27.44), Liliana Miles (11th, 21:10.94), and Abigail Adams (14th, 21:33.84).
In the boys’ competition, it was Archbishop Williams’ Nick Antonellis who was first across the line. The Bishops’ junior was timed in 16:56.62 to win a close race over Hopedale’s Ben Stone (second, 17:03.58) and Whitinsville Christian’s Benjamin Baron (third, 17:04.05).
Hopedale edged Boston Latin, 38–40, for the team title. Comprising the top five scorers were Stone, Quinn Cook (fourth, 17:06.41), Connor Fitzgibbon (11th, 18:03.21), Cedric Arthur (14th, 18:11.62), and Jack Murphy (23rd, 18:59.86).
***
In the Freshmen and Varsity races, which covered 3K, the results were as follows:
Freshman Girls: Concord-Carlisle’s Emma Kjaersgaard claimed the individual crown in 12:21.18, leading the Patriots to the team title.
Freshman Boys: Boston College High’s Seamus Collins earned the victory with a time of 11:15.46. The Eagles dominated the team competition, scoring just 18 points to secure the crown.
Varsity Girls: Concord-Carlisle’s Rosie MacClary led the way for the Patriots’ title-winning performance by taking the No. 1 spot with a time of 13:40.15.
Varsity Boys: Archbishop Williams’ Charles Scully was victorious with an 11:45.05 clocking. Durfee edged Bishop Feehan by four points to win team honors.
