Greater Nashua is a strong region for cross country runners. Three boys and eight girls that finished in the Top 50 of their respective Meet of Champions races return to lead their teams toward a divisional title.

The biggest return in talent is at Bishop Guertin. The Cardinals girls team, which finished second in Division I and third at the Meet of Champions, returns senior Gabby Richardson; juniors Chloe Conway and Danielle Poublon; and sophomores Ellie Goyette and Jessica Ewing. The loss of Molly McCabe to graduation is also made a little easier with the transfer of junior Heidi Ntengeri from Nashua North.

Poublon and Ntengeri finished 14th and 17th respectively at the MOC’s, while Goyette (22nd), Richardson (33rd) and Ewing (48th) were part of the girls Top 50.

BG will be pushing for the Division I title against a strong Pinkerton Academy squad, which finished third at the Division I meet and second at the MOC’s. The Astros are led by juniors Morgan Sansing (second in D-I, fifth MOC’s) and Ariel Vaillancourt (third in D-I, sixth at MOC’s). Defending champion Winnacunnet and Concord are also expected to challenge.

In girls Division II action, defending divisional, MOC and New England champion Coe-Brown is still the team to beat. The Bears return junior Elisabeth Danis (second at D-II, third at MOC’s, 15th at New Englands), senior Hannah Parker (fourth at D-II, seventh at MOC’s, ninth at NE’s) and junior Brooke Laskowsky (sixth at D-II, ninth at MOC’s, 32nd at NE’s).

Look for Oyster River, led by junior Maegan Doody (third at D-II, first at MOC’s, 11th at NE’s); and Souhegan, led by sophomore Madeleine Hunt (23rd at D-II, 20th at MOC’s), to be improved. Hollis Brookline, led by Sarah Cramton (10th at D-II, 23rd at MOC’s), is also in the mix to chase Coe-Brown.

Defending Division III champion Hopkinton is once again the favorite with the return of the division’s top two runners – junior Sarah Nadeau and sophomore Maddie Clark.

On the boys side of the trail, Alvirne is considered the area’s top team by multiple coaches.

The Broncos, who were sixth in Division I and 10th at Meet of Champions, return senior Phil Demers (eighth at D-I, 15th at MOC’s) and sophomore Noah Bellomo (13th at D-I, 32nd at MOC’s).

Defending champion Pinkerton Academy and runner-up Nashua South, led by junior Mitch King, are expected to be right on Alvirne’s heels.

The area’s top runner comes out of Amherst, as Souhegan once again challenges for the the top spot in Division II behind seniors Eli Moskowitz (second at D-II, fifth at MOC’s, 43rd at NE’s) and Ben Platt. Joking that duo is a group of Sabers underclassmen that won the D-II JV meet last fall.

Defending champion Oyster River, Portsmouth and Coe-Brown are also divisional contenders.

Division III is a tight group of contenders highlighted by defending champion Prospect Mountain, runner-up Bow, Mascenic and Inter Lakes.

BOYS

Division I

Alvirne

COACH: Tom Daigle (15th year).

2013: Sixth at Division I meet; 10th at Meet of Champions.

RETURNING LETTER WINNERS: Noah Bellomo, so.; Noah Cote, sr.; Frank Cunniff, sr.; Kyle Saunders, sr.; Phil Demers, sr.; Mike Gagnon, jr.; Kendall Westhoff, jr.; John Sojka, jr.; Brendan LaValley, jr.

PROMISING NEWCOMERS: James Descoteau, fr.; Cameron Mooers, fr.; Matt Robert, fr.

COACH’S COMMENT: “The Boys came to school in shape and ready to compete,” 15-year coach Tom Daigle said. “I look forward to a competitive season.”

Bishop Guertin

COACH: Kurt Schulz (third year).

2013: 10th at Division I meet.

TOP RETURNERS: Chis Fischer, Jon Sheehan, Aiden Sullivan, Joe Barowski.

OTHER RETURNING LETTER WINNERS: Andy Dahl, Sean Feenan, Ethan Michaud.

PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Simon Morrier, Marc Zoda.

COACH’S COMMENT: “In order for our time to contend for a Division 1 title we need to make a significant improvement from our top four runners,” third-year coach Kurt Schulz said. “We must build on the improvements made last year and train aggressively through the early season. The development of a solid number five runner will be key. Our goal is to return our team to the Meet of Champions after missing it last year for the first time in many years.”

Merrimack

COACH: Kevin Champigny (second year) and Ryan Haggerty (first year).

2013: Seventh at Division I meet.

TOP RETURNING SCORERS: Blake Williams, sr.

OTHER RETURNING LETTER WINNERS: Keo Simonson, sr.; Hersh Rai, sr.; Jake Zannoni, sr.; Schuyler Vaillancourt, sr.; James Jolly, sr.; John Pitten, sr.

PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Jordan Provencher, fr.; Ben Sweesy, so.; Dave Vaccaro, so.; Chase Sweeney, jr.

COACH’S COMMENT: “Two sets of principles are at work this season,” first-year coach Ryan Haggerty said. “For the team’s success as a whole, our guiding principles will be discipline, dedication and determination. For the individual student-athlete’s success, the guiding principles will be friendship, opportunity and a sense of meaning. Through these principles, we shall succeed as a team and individually.”

Nashua North

COACH: Art Kobs (28th year).

2013: 14th at Division I meet.

TOP RETURNING SCORERS: Noah Collins, jr.; Connor Muise, so.;

Shane Gagnon, jr.; James Taper, so.; Sheamus Adams, so.; Brian Inzerillo, jr.; Simon Macintosh, so.

OTHER RETURNING LETTER WINNERS: Jared Farley, Jarrid Ayotte, Chris Barry, Will Barry

Miles Lui, Brendan Digregorio.

PROMISING NEWCOMERS: David Vourbach, fr.; Hayden Brooks, fr.; Lucas Raza, jr.

COACH’S COMMENT: “Maturity on part of the Top 10,” Titans coach Art Kobs said. “We have to put last year behind us, yet learn from those lessons.”

Nashua South

Coach: Mike Merra (fifth year).

2013: Second at Division I meet; sixth at Meet of Champions.

TOP RETURNING SCORERS: Mitch King, jr.; Conor Canfield, so.; Ryan Vermette, so.; Tom Lessard, sr.

OTHER RETURNING LETTER WINNERS: Tyler North, so.; Corey Hawkins, so.; Ryan North, so.; Matt Ekins, jr.; Owen McNulty, sr.; Peter Minch, jr.

PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Aiden van Batenburg, fr.; Colin Murphy, fr.; Jeremy Bridge, fr.; Trevor Froburg, fr.

COACH’S COMMENT: “South will be a young but talented team,” Panthers coach Mike Merra said. “We lost our top three runners from last season, but we have a deep bench ready and anxious to step up. We have four returning runners who have already broken 18 minutes as freshman on the difficult Derryfield Park Course. Our guys have done the summer mileage and cn’t wait for the season to start.”

Division II

Hollis Brookline

COACH: Don Boggis (ninth year).

2013: Ninth at Division II meet.

TOP RETURNING SCORERS: Cam Jackson, jr.; Oliver Fetter, jr.; Ryan St Hilaire, sr.

OTHER RETURNING LETTER WINNERS: Ben Goodman, sr.; Jeremy Ide, sr.

COACH’S COMMENT: For Cavaliers coach Don Boggis there are two keys to a successful season, “Being consistent, and closing the gap between first and seventh.”

Milford

COACH: Mike Wright (fourth year).

2013: 12th at Division II meet.

TOP RETURNING SCORERS: Jake Ricca, jr.; Tim Tamulonis, jr.; Joseph Degraphenried, jr.; Jacob Sickler, so.

PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Blake Audibert, fr.; Jeremy Jackson, fr.

COACH’S COMMENT: Fourth-year Spartans coach Mike Wright wants to focus on developing his young team slowly.

Souhegan

Coach: Geoffrey Wilson (14th year)

2013: Second at Division II meet; third at Meet of Champions.

TOP RETURNING SCORERS: Eli Moskowitz, sr.; Ben Platt, sr.

OTHER RETURNING LETTER WINNERS: Stefan DeShazo, sr.; Matt Saunders, jr.; Garrett Earley, so.

COACH’S COMMENT: “After graduating five of our top seven from last year’s team, the key will be the continued improvement of last year’s top returning JV runners,” said Sabers coach Geoffrey Wilson of Souhegan’s D-II JV meet champions.

Division III

Campbell

COACH: Kelly Fraser (fourth year).

2013: 13th at Division III meet.

TOP RETURNING SCORERS: Sean Munnelly, sr.; Mike Gray, jr.; Sam Munnelly, jr.

OTHER RETURNING LETTER WINNERS: There are 16 total, including David Allen, jr.; Matt Lepore, sr.

PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Alec Bonvouloir, fr.; Seth Bonvouloir, fr.; Joey Inamorati, fr.

COACH’S COMMENT: “We have 24 freshman runners this year, along with a good mix of returning lettermen,” Cougars coach Kelly Fraser said. “We have to build steadily throughout the year in order to finish strong at the state championships.”

GIRLS

Division I

Alvirne

COACH: Jeff DiPrizito (first year).

2013: 14th at Division I meet.

TOP RETURNING SCORERS: Shaylyn Saunders, so.; Katie Bellomo, so.; Kendra Mulligan, so.; Lizzie Katsohis, jr.

OTHER RETURNING LETTER WINNER: Katie Lipsky, jr.

PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Keanna Smigliani, so.; Jenna Bradish, fr.; Leah Nicholson, fr.

COACH’S COMMENT: First-year coach Jeff DiPrizito has a young squad, but one full of talented runners. He likes what he sees in his Broncos. “This summer, many of our girls logged a lot of miles,” he said. “If we stay healthy, the hard work should pay off and we should see an improvement in our divisional standing.”

Bishop Guertin

COACH: Danielle Fischer (second year).

2013: Second at Division I meet; third at Meet of Champions.

TOP RETURNING SCORERS: Gabby Richardson, sr.; Chloe Conway, jr.; Danielle Poublon, jr.; Ellie Goyette, so.; Jessica Ewing, so.

OTHER RETURNING LETTER WINNER: Gabrielle Dionne, so.

PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Heidi Ntengeri, jr.

COACH’S COMMENT: According to second-year coach Danielle Fischer, BG’s success will be determined by her runners’ commitment to summer training among a few more things. “Staying healthy and injury free,” she said. “Team camaraderie and encouragement and athlete-coach communication.”

Merrimack

COACH: Cathy Merra (fifth year).

2013: Twelfth at Division I meet.

TOP RETURNING SCORERS: Erica Lane, jr.; Brittany Gravellese, sr.; Sarah House, jr.; Kellie Mathewson, sr.

OTHER RETURNING LETTER WINNERS: Caroline Pitten, so.; Allison Stankiewicz, sr.; Katie Spencer, sr.; Paige Peringer, so.

PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Zoey Schilling, Bailey Carillo, Grace Corbett, Rachel House, Haley Boisvert, Mia DeMarco, MicKayla Hutchinson, Allison Zannoni.

COACH’S COMMENT: “The girls are excited about this season,” Tomahawks coach Cathy Merra said. “We will have four of our five Division I scoring runners returning and have some strong talent joining us from the middle school. We’ve done the summer mileage and can’t wait for the season to start.”

Nashua North

COACH: Nate Burns (third year).

2013: Fifth at Division I meet; sixth at Meet of Champions.

TOP RETURNING SCORERS: Nicolina Braccio, jr.; Kelsi Farren, jr.; Carla Kossayda, jr.; Rachel Nakos, sr.; Helen Ntengeri, jr.

OTHER RETURNING LETTER WINNERS: Hannah Henning, so.; Victoria Lizotte, sr.; Lauren Ritter, jr.; Emily Sanford, jr.; Kaylee Smith, sr.

PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Shanowa Brown, fr.; Taylor Martel, fr.; Megan Phillips, fr.; Jenny Roundtree, fr.

COACH’S COMMENT: “We need to work hard and run together as a team from start to finish,” Titans coach Nate Burns said. “We trained hard all summer and hope to make it back to the Meet of Champions this year.”

Nashua South

COACH: Sarah Paling (fourth year).

2013: Thirteenth at Division I meet.

TOP RETURNING SCORERS: Holly Gaudet, sr.; Lauren Flanagan, sr.; Bridget Murphy, sr.; Jocelyn Chaput, jr.; Rebecca Berube, jr.; Shannon Joyce, jr.; Olivia Andersen, so.

PROMISING NEWCOMER: Jillian MacGregor, so.

COACH’S COMMENT: “The key to success started before the season did,” Panthers coach Sarah Paling said. “The girls needed to stay in shape over the summer and put down a running base. Through the season, the key is to stay healthy and avoid injury at all costs.”

DIVISION II

Hollis Brookline

COACH: Don Boggis (ninth year).

2013: Second at Division II meet; seventh at Meet of Champions.

TOP RETURNING SCORERS: Sarah Cramton, jr.; Lauren Cole, jr.; Emma Bruseo, so.; Emily Babcock, jr.

OTHER RETURNING LETTER WINNERS: Madlyn Partridge, so.; Emilie Newsham, sr.; Elizabeth Corsetti, sr.

COACH’S COMMENT: For ninth-year Cavaliers coach Don Boggis, “Consistency of purpose as a team along with steady leadership from the veteran runners,” are the keys to a successful season.

Milford

COACH: Mike Wright (fourth year).

2013: Ninth at Division II meet.

TOP RETURNING SCORERS: Brianna Lippitt, sr.; Miranda Couture, sr.; Aimee Krafft, sr.; Shannon Hull, jr.; Lindsay Wright, so.; Grace Vogel, so.

PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Katie Ebbert, so.; Kaela Greska, fr.; Maddie Sullivan, fr.; Victoria Goullett, fr.; Stephanie Bishop, fr.

COACH’S COMMENT: “We have to pack up our top seven,” Spartans coach Mike Wright said.

Souhegan

COACH: Geoffrey Wilson (14th year).

2013: Fourth at Division I meet; eighth at Meet of Champions.

TOP RETURNING SCORERS: Madeleine Hunt, so.; Hannah Gillis, jr.; Hannah Culver, sr.; Kate Bermingham, jr.; Shannon Earley, so.

OTHER RETURNING LETTER WINNERS: Amy Lambert, Rylee Noorda, Emmy Ehrenstein, Ali Roberts.

PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Elise Lambert, Maddy Barretto, Alissa Reitter.

COACH’S COMMENT: Sabers coach Geoffrey Wilson is looking for “Continued improvement of a strong team from last year, with five of our top six runners back, along with several excellent newcomers. It should put us near the top of our Division this fall.”

Division III

Campbell

COACH: Kelly Fraser (fourth season).

2013: 13th at Division III meet.

TOP RETURNING SCORERS: Jamie Minervini, jr., Sammy Molinari, so.; Kaliegh Whitnell, sr.

OTHER RETURNING LETTER WINNERS: There are 12 total, including Julia Christino, jr.

PROMISING NEWCOMERS: Caitlyn Callinan, fr.; Olivia Christiono, fr.; Libby Pelletier, fr.

COACH’S COMMENTS: “We have 24 freshman runners this year, along with a good mix of returning lettermen,” Cougars coach Kelly Fraser said. “We have to build steadily throughout the year in order to finish strong at the state championships.”

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