It’s only a matter of time before we get our first real glimpse of some of the top teams and athletes this cross-country season. While the competitive portion of the season begins on Sept. 7 with the Vineyard Invitational and the MSTCA XC Relays, we expect that will come later in the month at statewide meets like the Frank Kelley Invitational (Sept. 21) and the Bay State Invitational (Sept. 28).
The next few weeks, Bay State Running will be preview how we expect things will transpire on the dirt trails. We’re going to break it down by divisions and sub divisions (e.g. 1A, 2B, 3C). Here we feature Division 2C girls and boys.
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GIRLS
Division 2C
Teams: Medfield, Manchester, Chicopee, Hanover, Groton-Dunstable, Auburn, Apponequet Regional, Watertown, Wilmington, Dighton-Rehoboth, Dedham, Old Rochester, Norton, Martha’s Vineyard, Dover-Sherborn, Bishop Stang, Ursuline Academy, Archbishop Williams, Cardinal Spellman, Saint Mary’s, Fontbonne Academy, Saint Paul Diocesan, Pope Francis, Arlington Catholic, Lowell Catholic, Notre Dame Academy – Worcester, Notre Dame Cristo Rey, Saint John Paul II, Whitinsville Christian, Falmouth Academy, Saint Mary’s – Westfield, South Lancaster Academy, Riverview, South Shore Christian Academy
Top Athletes: Emily Flagg, Whitinsville Christian; Emma Wierenga, Whitinsville Christian; Elise Casso, Falmouth Academy, Maddie Hussey, Archbishop Williams; Abby Flagg, Whitinsville Christian; Chloe McCormack, Medfield; Anna LaRowe, Medfield
Outlook: The favorite here for individual honors could hold this title for next two years, too. Securing the No. 1 spot is the defending champion Emily Flagg. As a ninth-grader in 2023, Flagg was one of our state’s best. In addition to her victory (18:23.8) at the 2C meet, she also was third (18:34.7)at the Meet of Champions, and won races at the Ocean State Invitational, Bob Glennon Twilight Invitational and Dual Valley Conference Championships. She had a 5K best of 18:08.7 at the Frank Mooney. Seven of the top 12 finishers from last year’s meet are also returning, including Wierenga, Casso, Hussey, McCormick and LaRowe, who all broke 20 minutes at Wrentham at the divisionals.
Whitinsville Christian, which beat second-place Dover Sherborn based on a sixth runner tie-breaker, is the early-season favorite for team honors. The Crusaders lost two to graduation, but return the core of their scorers. Dover Sherborn and Midfield are a couple of other squads that could make an impact.
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BOYS
Division 2C
Teams: Medfield, Gloucester, Chicopee, Hanover, Groton-Dunstable, Auburn, Apponequet Regional, Watertown, Wilmington, Dighton-Rehoboth, Dedham, Old Rochester, Norton, Martha’s Vineyard, Dover-Sherborn, Bishop Stang, Ursuline Academy, Archbishop Williams, Cardinal Spellman, Bishop Fenwick, Saint Mary’s, Fontbonne Academy, Saint Paul Diocesan, Pope Francis, Arlington Catholic, Lowell Catholic, Notre Dame Academy – Worcester, Notre Dame Cristo Rey, Saint John Paul II, Cristo Rey, Mount Alvernia, Whitinsville Christian, Bishop Connolly, Falmouth Academy, Saint Mary’s – Westfield, South Lancaster Academy, Riverview, South Shore Christian Academy
Top Athletes: Greyson Duane, Groton Dunstable; Lowell Copps, Bishop Stang; Aidan Pearsall, Dover Sherborn; Grant Sullivan, Dover Sherborn.
Outlook: Duane is the top returnee, and the No. 1 runner to keep an eye on for the individual title at the Div. 2C Championships this season. As a freshman last year, he was third (16:02.6) at the 2C meet and fifth (16:11.4) at the Meet of Champions. The Groton Dunstable standout had a 5K best of 15:54.8 at the Twilight invitational. During the indoor season, Duane ran one of the nation’s top mile times for ninth-graders, finishing second in the frosh race at the Nike Indoor Nationals in 4:22.12. Copps (seventh, 16:18.50), Pearsall (eighth, 16:34.20) and Sullivan (tenth, 16:55.90) were all among the top 10 at the divisionals last year and are expected to be back this fall fighting for those high positions come championship time.
Groton Dunstable and Dober Sherborn, the 1-2 finishers at last year’s 2C meet, appear to be the top contender for team honors at the divisional championships.
