Runners to Watch: Monument Mountain Regional’s Everett Pacheco
Everett Pacheco of Monument Mountain Regional returns looking for his second straight Division Three crown. After finishing 10th as a sophomore, Pacheco would win this past fall in 16:09, a time that ranks fourth out of all returning runners from the Meet of Champions.
Runner’s to Watch: Natick’s John Bianchi
The number two returner from the Meet of Champions Division One race will be looking for an individual title as well as a team title this fall. John Bianchi was eighth last year and has the third fastest time, 15:59, of all returning runners. He will look to lead our number two ranked Natick squad to the team title after finishing fifth last season.
Runners to Watch: Westford Academy’s Abigail Hennessy
Despite missing most of the 2024 Cross-Country season, all eyes will be on Abigail Hennessy of Westford Academy this fall. After a historic 2025 track season that saw a new state record in the mile, Hennessy will look to leave her mark on the Cross-Country course as well.
Runners to Watch: Falmouth’s Silas Gartner
The fastest returner overall from last year’s Meet of Champions is Silas Gartner. He won the Division 2 race by ten seconds finishing in 15:42. He also won every race he entered except for three, and two of those were regional and national meets.
Preseason Boys #1: Concord-Carlisle
Concord-Carlisle returns their top eight runners from last season making them arguably the deepest team in the state. On paper they have a 1-5 spread from 16:08-16:23. Compared to some of the previous teams we’ve highlighted, those times may not jump off the page. However, if you dig into the results, you see a team built to win from top to bottom.
Preseason Girls #1: Lexington
Lexington tops our list as they bring back their top seven after fishing runner up at the Meet of Champions and winning the Middlesex League Meet. After finishing runner up to Needham at the Divisional race, you could argue their second place at the Meet of Champions was a surprise. There will be no surprises this year.
Preseason Boys #2: Natick
The fact that Natick isn’t in our number one spot goes to show how tough it will be to be at the top this season. Most years their top four runners would be unbeatable. Up front they have top contender John Bianchi, who was 8th at the Meet of Champions and boasts a 4:11 mile PR. Bianchi will have his sights set on both the individual title as well as the team.
Preseason Girls #2: Billerica
Billerica won the Division 1C race last season by 29 points with a team made up of freshmen and sophomores. That same squad finished fourth at the Meet of Champions the following week. How good can that team be this year?
Preseason Boys #3: Lexington
As mentioned before, the Middlesex League is one of the most difficult to race in, and Lexington is the primary reason. The defending league champs return their top five from that race that all ran 16:00 or better.
Preseason Girls #3: Westford Academy
The defending Champs from the Division 1 race at the Meet of Champion return a formidable squad this fall led by one of the best runners in state history. After a record-breaking outdoor season that saw a new state best in the Mile, all eyes will be on Abigail Hennessy this fall. However, Westford Academy managed to win last year without their star.