New Balance Girls Power Rankings
New Balance Girls Power Rankings Week One of the Cross-Country season is in the books, and despite limited teams competing, there was plenty of action. There were dual and tri meets between top ranked teams as well as multiple invitationals. So now it’s time for our week one Power Rankings brought to you by New […]
Runners to Watch: Catholic Memorial’s Michael Upton
As junior last season, Catholic Memorial’s Michael Upton was among the best runners in the state all season. He started 2024 with a win at the Vineyard Invitational in 16:11, a PR at the time. He would also secure wins in the Small Schools section at the Manchester Invite as well as the Frank Mooney Invitational where he ran a season best of 15:45.
Runners to Watch: Concord Carlisle’s Maria Chopas
Last fall Maria Chopas saved her best for last. After a slower start to the season, she excelled in November, en route to a 12th place finish at the Meet of Champions, and helped her team finish third at the Division 1B Championships. After a strong outdoor season as well, Chopas will no longer be under the radar as she looks to lead #11 Concord-Carlisle.
Catholic Memorial makes a statement; Noteworthy returns highlight Vineyard Invitational
Saturday in Martha’s Vineyard featured strong winds, a bright sky, and some major performances from teams and individuals we did not feature in the preseason.
Runners to Watch: Middleboro’s Atley Phinney
Middleboro’s Atley Phinney returns this season after finishing 11th in the Division Two race at the Meet of Champions. Phinney already opened his 2025 campaign at the Smith Invitational, where he won the 1.5 Mile race in 7:26, averaging just under five-minute mile pace.
New Balance Race Report
#2 Natick tops #5 Brookline 27-28 Week 1’s matchup of titans proved better than expected. Natick prevailed in a nail biter, topping Brookline 27 to 28. Biggest takeaways: Based off our preseason projections, Natick should have won this. While Brookline had a lot of depth, we were unsure of their strength from 3-5. Soshant Shahbazi, […]
Runners to Watch: Billerica’s Mason Niles
After starting the season quietly, Mason Niles showed up on the biggest stage like a seasoned veteran. After competing as an eighth grader for Billerica, he started 2024 by winning the Freshmen race at the Bob Glennon Twilight Invitational. He wouldn’t race again until the Divisional Championships. It was there he stunned a talented field, to emerge as one of the top runners to watch for years to come.
Runners to Watch: Cambridge’s Sophia Juanes Seto
Sophia Juanes Seto returns this season with big shoes to fill for #10 Cambridge Rindge & Latin. Last season she formed the best duo in the state alongside teammate Aoife Shovlin. Together they both finished top ten and led Cambridge to a sixth-place finish at the Meet of Champions. This year, the reins are hers and she’ll look to top her teammate’s fourth place finish last season.
Runner’s to Watch: Lowell’s James Kelly
Lowell’s James Kelly returns this season after finishing 17th at the Meet of Champions in 2024. He’s the number four overall returning runner, with a time of 16:22.
BSR Race Forecast
The first race week of the season is here and there’s no shortage of excitement. If you were planning on easing into competition this year, the Cross-Country Gods had other ideas.