It won’t just be about soaking up the sun and enjoying the 70-degree weather expected this weekend.
There’s a more important reason Abby Hennessy will be in San Diego on Saturday while the rest of us in New England are braving freezing temperatures.
The Westford Academy senior is aiming to cap off her red-hot cross-country season on a high note as she joins 52 of the country’s finest harriers at the Brooks XC Nationals at historic Balboa Park. Two weeks removed from her victory at the Brooks Northeast Championships, Hennessy is listed among the top contenders to win at what was once known as the Foot Locker Nationals.
The girls’ race is slated to begin at 12:15 p.m. EST.
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Massachusetts has enjoyed its share of success over the years at the national meet. Last year, Tamrat “Tam” Gavenas of Phillips Academy Andover captured the individual title, with Westford Academy’s Jack Graffeo placing third and Tyngsborough native Matthew Giardina taking seventh.
Other Massachusetts standouts who have earned victories at the meet include Boston English’s Abdirizak Mohamud, a two-time champion in 1996 and 1997, and Northbridge native Sydney Masciarelli of Marianapolis Prep (CT), the 2018 national champion.
Here’s a look at a few more top finishes by Massachusetts runners:
Westford Academy’s Paul Bergeron – 7th, 2023
Belmont’s Ellie Shea – 2nd, 2022
Peabody’s Catarina Rocha – 7th in 2011; 2nd in 2012
