Copyright The Boston Globe
“Our coaches always tell us how good we are as a team, and we just know going into these types of races that we’re all stronger together,” said Donahue. “Even without Gianna, we’re such a good team and our girls are so talented, so we just have to do our part.” Westford senior Abby Hennessy turned in a routine display of dominance in the girls’ 1A race, commanding an early lead and cruising to a 34-second victory in 17:06.3, well ahead of Needham senior Greta Hammer (17:40.4) and Lexington sophomore Janie Conrad (18:14.7). Despite Hennessy’s win, Westford (71 points) still fell short against Lexington (41), which was powered by Conrad and fellow sophomore Ella Tyson (18:38.8) in fifth. Hennessy’s time Saturday didn’t quite live up to her jaw-dropping victories at the Twilight Invitational (16:43.0) and Dual County League Championship (16:46.6), but she took pride in her performance as she begins the long postseason road — which she hopes will end at Brooks Nationals next month. “I could always hear everyone cheering for Greta behind me, and that definitely kept me focused on the pace,” Hennessy said. “It just might have been not my best day if I were to race against myself at those two other races, but I’m still happy . . . I’ve never been a divisional champion before, so that’s something really special during my senior year.” In Division 1B, Winchester (46 points) edged Concord-Carlisle in a two-team race (Wellesley was third at 116). While the Patriots featured the winner, Maria Chopas (18:37.4), the Red & Black placed four runners in the top nine, led by Millie McDonald (19:00.6) in third and Julia Ramsey (19:03.7) in fourth. Division 2 — In the 2A race, junior Sara Blanco (19:38.16) led the way with a victory for Boston Public Schools, and juniors Anjuli Claire Szydlo (20:30.17) and Neve Flynn (20:40.0) finished 10th and 12th, respectively, to propel BPS (74 points) past Marblehead (89) and Westwood (94). Not bad for a program that was had to be revived a decade ago after going dormant. “It means everything,” said coach Mike Ward. “We didn’t go into today thinking we would necessarily win either, but we knew we had a shot. And it just shows how far we’ve come as a program, to get to this point is amazing.” Blanco had a steady lead in the girls’ race coming into the home stretch, and just barely hung on after a ferocious late push by Canton junior Lauren Raffetto (19:38.93). The girls’ victory was sealed with ferocious pushes down the stretch from sophomores Maya Friedmann (21.39.95) and Maddy Lemay (21:59.61), who finished 23rd and 32nd, respectively. “We just preached being patient going up that ski slope at the beginning,” said Ward. “Then their places from the top of the hill down to the bottom by the finish, they moved up like crazy.” After smashing their goal — and downing defending Division 2 champions Westwood in the process — confidence is riding high headed into next week’s Meet of Champions at Fort Devens. Whittensville Christain (74 points) was fueled by a top-heavy effort to capture the girls’ 2C race, led by twin junior sisters Emily Flagg (18:30.73) and Abby Flagg (18:54.43) in first and second place, respectively. Amherst-Pelham won 2B with 79 points, outpacing Northampton (86) and Holliston (108), which was led by winner Lucy Downin (19:19.25). Division 3 — After the Greater Lowell Tech put on a historic performance in the boys’ 3A race, the girls scored a monumental victory of their own with a strong 4-5-6 punch from Teagan Galvagni (20:16.31), Lillian Zurkus (20:18.66), and Audrey Yann (20.34.10). “We’re not built to be fast in the front, we’re built to steal the middle. That’s what we did,” said Greater Lowell coach Matthew Murphy. “I went to a comprehensive school, I remember the attitude, ‘Voke schools are second-fiddle.’ No longer. Voke is the future.” The Gryphons’ triumph (57 points) came despite an impressive showing from Norwell (77). Clippers’ sophomore Katherine Murray (18:59.79) blazed to a first-place finish by more than 35 seconds. At the finish line, she embraced runner-up teammate Audrey Birtwell (19:35.04), who was 40 seconds ahead of the closest opponent. “Audrey and I stayed together for the first two laps, and I knew I needed to work really hard in the second lap, so I went a little faster. Then the hill was coming, and so I just thought positively going up the hill,” said Murray. In Division 3B, Hampshire (54 points) outlasted a 1-2 finish from Hamilton-Wenham’s Grace Rich (19:24.71) and Asa Labell (19:27.66). The Division 3C championship also went to Western Mass., with Mt. Greylock (53 points) packing seven runners within the top 20 to get the better of Bromfield (81 points). All of Mount Greylock’s athletes finished within 50 seconds of one another. “The theme has been let’s see how close that pack can get,” said co-head coach Jenna Dickinson. at Wrentham Development Center Individual — 1. Abigail Hennessy, Westford, 17:06.3; 2. Greta Hammer, Needham, 17:40.4; 3. Janie Conrad, Lexington, 18:14.7; 4. Emily Wedlake, Westford, 18:24.1; 5. Ella Tyson, Lexington, 18:38.8; 6. Esty Dudnik, Newton North, 18:39.2; 7. Madison Roach, Needham, 18:50.7; 8. Alycia Charest, Lexington, 18:50.9; 9. Erin Ehmann, Lexington, 18:55.1; 10. Daria Lamakina, Framingham, 18:55.4. Team results — 1. Lexington, 41; 2. Westford, 71; 3. Newton North, 95; 4. Needham, 100; 5. Wachusett, 157; 6. Weymouth, 173; 7. Cambridge, 212; 8. Brookline, 253. at Wrentham Development Center Individual — 1. Maria Chopas, Concord-Carlisle, 18:37.4; 2. Emma Tuxbury, Wellesley, 18:56.4; 3. Millie McDonald, Winchester, 19:00.6; 4. Julia Ramsey, Winchester, 19:03.7; 5. Mia McCusker, Chelmsford, 19:16.4; 6. Maddie Tuxbury, Wellesley, 19:20.5; 7. Chloe Chan, Winchester, 19:24.3; 8. Emma Kjaersgaard, Concord-Carlisle, 19:26.9; 9. Caroline Lanz, Winchester, 19:31.4; 10. Maddy McGillicuddy, North Quincy, 19:34.1. Team results — 1. Winchester, 46; 2. Concord-Carlisle, 49; 3. Wellesley, 116; 4. North Quincy, 153; 5. Algonquin, 160; 6. Arlington, 173; 7. North Andover, 200; 8. Natick, 222. at Wrentham Development Center Individual — 1. Kyla Breslin, Central Catholic, 18:19.7; 2. Kylie Donahue, Billerica, 18:28.1; 3. Clare Hall, Westborough, 18:37.8; 4. Maya Niles, Billerica, 18:50.3; 5. Hartlie Siegal, Billerica, 19:00.02; 6. Sophie Shaw, Bishop Feehan, 19:12; 7. Evelyn Wesling, Billerica, 19:13.1; 8. Caitlyn Donahue, Billerica, 19:15.4; 9. Claire Sullivan, Notre Dame (Hingham), 19:23; 10. Regan Kittredge, Westborough, 19:24.4. Team results — 1. Billerica, 26; 2. Notre Dame (Hingham), 73; 3. Bishop Feehan, 94; 4. Central Catholic, 156; 5. Milton, 166; 6. Oliver Ames, 188; 7. Hopkinton, 250; 8. Malden Catholic, 260; 9. Silver Lake, 277; 10. Westborough, 278. at Northfield Mountain Individual — 1. Sara Blanco, Latin Academy, 19:38.16; 2. Lauren Raffetto, Canton, 19:38.93; 3. Ila Zollo, Walpole, 19:46.31; 4. Reilly Powell, Melrose, 19:53.85; 5. Bridget Flynn, Norwood, 20:01.29; 6. Maggie Joyce, Minnechaug, 20:16.16; 7. Sarah Munroe, Marblehead, 20:18.1; 8. Marrietta O’Connell, Marblehead, 20:22.52; 9. Madison Gibeau-Schmitt, Masconomet, 20:42.22; 10. Anjuli Szydlo, Latin Academy, 20:30.17. Team results — 1. Latin Academy, 74; 2. Marblehead, 89; 3. Westwood, 94; 4. Walpole, 114; 5. Melrose, 114; 6. Canton, 127; 7. Minnechaug, 202; 8. Masconomet, 244. at Northfield Mountain Individual — 1. Lucy Downin, Holliston, 19:19.25; 2. Mairead O’Neil, Northampton, 19:24.61; 3. Quin Wilcox, Wakefield, 19:38.31; 4. Meghan McEleney, Groton-Dunstable, 20:05.47; 5. Sophia Warnetski, Ashland, 20:21.28; 6. Addison Poulter, Bedford, 20:25.27; 7. Maeve Burns, Tewksbury, 20:51.01; 8. Grace Conklin, Danvers, 20:53.44; 9. Emerson Harrington, Holliston, 21:01.74; 10. Emma Dorich, Foxborough, 21:15.51. Team results — 1. Amherst-Pelham, 79; 2. Northampton, 86; 3. Holliston, 108; 4. Ashland, 157; 5. Newburyport, 167; 6. Danvers, 209; 7. Pembroke, 221; 8. Wakefield, 253. at Northfield Mountain Individual — 1. Emily Flagg, Whitinsville Christian, 18:30.73; 2. Abby Flagg, Whitinsville Christian, 18:54.43; 3. Elise Casso, Falmouth, 20:14.24; 4. Jessica Bourne, Weston, 20:22.08; 5. Annabelle Averett, Swampscott, 20:42.22; 6. Adelaide Sweatman, Bishop Fenwick, 20:42.93; 7. Kelsey Kwiatek, St. Mary’s, 20:49.09; 8. Grace Morasse, Lowell Catholic, 20:49.78; 9. Inez Smith, Whitinsville Christian, 20:57.9; 10. Molly McIntyre, Norton, 21:08.55. Team results — 1. Whitinsville Christian, 74; 2. Bishop Fenwick, 91; 3. Dover-Sherborn, 176; 4. Norton, 191; 5. North Reading, 201; 6. Wilmington, 205; 7. St. Mary’s, 218; 8. Weston, 260. at Devens 5K Course Individual — 1. Katherine Murray, Norwell, 18:59.79; 2. Audrey Birtwell, Norwell, 19:35.04; 3. Gabrielle Holdsworth, East Bridgewater, 20:15.99; 4. Teagan Galvagni, Greater Lowell, 20:16.31; 5. Lillian Zurkus, Greater Lowell, 20:18.66; 6. Audrey Yann, Greater Lowell, 20:34.1; 7. Mia Jaworski, Triton, 20:34.29; 8. Jaylyn Albano, Seekonk, 20:37.75; 9. Susan Wisniewski, Pentucket, 20:40.72; 10. Grace Smith, Sandwich, 20:41.1. Team results — 1. Greater Lowell, 57; 2. Norwell, 77; 3. Sandwich, 78; 4. Old Rochester, 119; 5. Abington, 150; 6. Norfolk Aggie, 165; 7. East Bridgewater, 238; 8. Lynnfield, 250. at Devens 5K Course Individual — 1. Grace Rich, Hamilton-Wenham, 19:24.71; 2. Asa Labell, Hamilton-Wenham, 19:27.66; 3. Olivia Coronella, Lunenburg, 19:33.45; 4. Kathleen Barry, Hampshire, 20:04.82; 5. Tallulah Clifford, Sturgis East, 20:22.4; 6. Isabella Duarte, Tyngsborough, 20:35.49; 7. Lucy Balcius, Tyngsborough, 20:37.93; 8. Talia Labell, Hamilton-Wenham, 20:44.74; 9. Haley Jezowski, Amesbury, 20:46.67; 10. Brooke Hockenberry, Hampshire, 20:54.07. Team results — 1. Hampshire, 54; 2. Hamilton-Wenham, 73; 3. Advanced Math and Science, 86; 4. Sturgis East, 100; 5. Lunenburg, 146; 6. Monument Mtn., 162; 7. Tyngsborough, 174; 8. Uxbridge, 235. at Devens 5K Course Individual — 1. Emma Genovese, Millis, 19:18.59; 2. Annabella Lamoreaux, Sutton, 19:40.02; 3. Vivien Bregman, Sutton, 19:50.81; 4. Rosie Bradley, Bromfield, 19:57.26; 5. Hazel Butterworth, Carver, 20:24.24; 6. Nora Schoeny, Lenox, 20:40.37; 7. Teagan Richards, Hopedale, 20:40.67; 8. Abby Wool, Bromfield, 20:48.9; 9. Bridget Holland, Mt. Greylock, 20:55.91; 10. Riley Mae Dickinson, Mt. Greylock, 20:55.96. Team results — 1. Mt. Greylock, 53; 2. Bromfield, 81; 3. Lenox, 83; 4. Sutton, 150; 5. Parker Charter, 151; 6. Frontier, 200; 7. Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion, 201; 8. Mohawk Trail, 210.
