Telegraph photo by Hector Longo Bishop Guertin's Caroline Fischer rolls to a 4:54.67 clocking in the 1600 meters, and the junior was second to Kearsarge sensation Mya Dube in the race at Saturday's NHIAA Meet of Champions.

Cross country athletes will hit the

ground running on Tuesday, and excitement brews on many fronts, both girls

and boys.

Bishop Guertin High School returns

the lone defending state champ from

the region, as the top gun and the runner-up from the Division II State Meet

are back and hungry again.

“In the least we hope to make a return

to the New England Championships led

by powerhouse team captains Caroline

Towle (Division I runner-up) and Caroline Fischer (Division I champ).”

Towle and Fischer could have their

own trophy case at BG with what

they’ve racked up over three years,

nine seasons, with the Cardinals.

Depth is the one huge question for

Guertin, which placed fourth in Division I and seventh in the Meet of Champions a year ago.

Junior Rose Goyette and sophomore

Elizabeth White will be looking to raise

their games, while a pair of promising

sophomores, Mary Kate Finn and Fiona

Doherty have a chance to make an impact right away.

Elsewhere in Division I, South welcomes back Cali Coffin for her junior

season after what could best be described as a courageous sophomore

campaign.

Leg injuries plagued her throughout

the three seasons. When healthy, Coffin

has proven she can run with anyone in

the state and run well.

The Panthers are young but will look

to better their ninth-place effort in Division I a year ago.

Merrimack High returns its top finisher from last year’s state meet, Adele

Alexander, and is bolstered by gritty

three-sport standout Melanie Hutchinson.

Both North and Alvirne are in rebuilding mode.

After graduating Division 1 college

runners in back-to-back years – Becca

Durham to Pitt and Lauren Robinson to

Alabama-Birmingham – Milford High remains a threat in Division II with eyes on

the Meet of Champions.

Versatile Leslie MacGrath rocks the

confidence of her state high jump championship last spring while Abbey Halloran

opened some eyes with a rock-solid freshman year, just missing the top 10 at the

state meet a year ago.

Another sophomore coming off a

splashy freshman season is Souhegan’s

Chloe Trudel. She was All-New England

in the 3200 last spring and was the Granite State’s top placer in the event at New

Englands. The Sabers, who return four of

their top seven, grabbed third in Division

II last fall and again look to be running in

fine form.

Hollis Brookline looks to rebuild under

new coach Yolanda Flamino as Ava Moyer

and Shandi Fetter head up what looks to

be a strong freshmen class.

In Division III, Campbell nearly pulled

out the win at the state meet, finishing second without a senior scorer. That bodes

well for the Cougars again this fall. Cassie

Hemming, Lyndsey Brown, Megan Whitnell and Riley Gamache were top 25 finishers in the state meet last year and all

are back and hitting their stride.

On the boys side, the tradition continues

at Nashua North where Rory Curran returns for his senior year. A state champ in

track, Curran was fourth in the Division I

cross country state meet. He’ll be looking

for better this time around as the Titans

set their sights on a big late-season push.

“We are hoping to make the MOC on the

backs of our seniors then roll the dice to

get to New Englands,” said coach Arthur

Kobs.

“The rest of state is real strong with

some Division II teams being real contenders for New Englands, along with

usually cast from Division I (Concord,

Keene, Pinkerton, Winnacunnet and Londonderry).

“It’s a tough challenge but it’s a long

season and we are excited.”

If you’re looking for a Division I darkhorse, check out Merrimack, where coach

Kevin Champigny has most everyone

back, including a quintet of extremely

consistent seniors – Andrew Peyton, Scott

Peyton, Andrew Frothingham, Adam Ellis

and Eli Demeo.

South, Alvirne and Bishop Guertin are

all working hard to bump into the top half

of Division I. The Cardinals might have

the biggest team numbers wise in the region, hoping that depth translates on the

trails.

In Division II, Milford’s Caleb Korthals

is only a junior, and he’s coming off a top10 finish at the state meet last fall.

He and classmates Mason Arsenau and

Caeleb Fortunato will again anchor the

Spartans’ squad.

Thomas Headington and Ethan McFee

are the lone experienced returners for a

Souhegan crew that placed fourth in Division II a year ago.

Hollis Brookline is still young, but Jacob Dwyer and John Kotelly put together

solid freshmen campaigns for the Cavs.

They could be ready to make a move.

Unlike the Campbell girls, the Cougar

boys were a senior-driven bunch in 2018.

They’ll be looking to reload following the

graduation of state champ Jeffrey Allen

and a handful of others.

Matthew Dion, 17th in the state meet

last year, is the top returning finisher for

the Cougars.

Division I

ALVIRNE

Coach: Colleen Currier

2018 Results: 14th in Division I

Returning Varsity Runners: Alex Suppa,

Soph.; Molly Macklin, Soph.

Promising Newcomers: Katherine Waden,

Frosh.; Audrey Normad, Frosh.

Coach’s Comments: “This year, we have a very

young team. Coach Sue Sawyer and I are excited

to spend this year rebuilding the team.”

BISHOP GUERTIN

Coach: Danielle Fischer

2018 Results: 4th in Division I; 7th at Meet of

Champions

Returning Varsity Runners: Caroline Fischer,

Sr.; Caroline Towle, Sr.; Rose Goyette, Jr.; Elizabeth White, Soph.

Promising Newcomers: Fiona Doherty, Soph.;

Mary Kate Finn, Soph.

Coach’s Comments: “BG returns last year’s

scoring runners and adds two promising sophomore runners to our team. This team has the

pedigree to be state champion contenders as long

as all stay healthy and hungry for a title win.”

MERRIMACK

Coach: Cathy Merra

2018 Results: 10th in Division I

Returning Starters: Adele Alexander, Jr.;

Melanie Hutchinson, Sr.; Erin Murray, Sr.; Andrea

Gustafson Sr.

Promising Newcomers: Lexi Girouard, Jr.; Lilli

Dabilis, Jr.; Olivia Cote, Jr.; Zippy Yellin, Soph.;

Eilish Gunther, Soph.; Megan Senecal, Sr.; Catey

Selby, Jr.; Natalie Desilets, Sr.; Alexis Cardin, Jr.;

Melanie Baxter, Frosh.; Ainsley Bone, Frosh.;

Anysa Gage, Frosh.; Maddy Maillioux, Frosh.;

Hannah Stella, Soph.; Avery Sullivan, Soph.

Coach’s Comments: “The Merrimack girls are a

team focused and welcoming to the newcomers.”

NASHUA NORTH

Coach: Renee Archer

2018 Results: 12th in Division I

Returning Varsity Runners: Sophia Searles,

Sr.; Sarah Kelley, Sr.; Caroline Dobens, Jr.; Dantia

Braccio, Soph.; Mariana Santos, Soph.

Promising Newcomers: Dania Saquer, Jr.;

Isabella Di Vernieri, Frosh.

Coach’s Comments: “We lost a huge part of

our team, but our summer training was great and

the returning girls are ready to step up. The girls

are committed, excited, and having fun. Our big

goal is to continue to build on our summer training

to see some awesome results on the course.”

NASHUA SOUTH

Coach: Catrina Lougee

2018 Results: 9th in Division I

Returning Varsity Runners: Cali Coffin, Jr.;

Meghan Conway, Soph.; Jaimee Conmy, Sr.;

Alana Perry, Soph.; Avery Marchand, Soph.; Brielle

Ducharme, Soph.; Jenna Lecklider, Soph.

Promising Newcomers: Nadia Zhecheva, Jr.;

Grace Harris, Frosh.; Olivia Baskill, Frosh.

Coach’s Comments: “Never underestimate the

power of teamwork.”

Division II

HOLLIS BROOKLINE

Coach: Yolanda Flamino

2018 results: 12th in Division II

Returning Varsity Runners: Catherine Donovan, Sr.; Carolyn Hultz, Soph.; Lily Jackson, Sr.;

Amy Pattelena, Soph.; Victoria Rezzarday, Sr.

Promising Newcomers: Ava Moyer, Frosh.;

Emily Turnbull, Soph.; Shandi Fetter, Frosh.

Coach’s Comments: “With a lot of talented

freshmen joining the team, we look to build into a

cohesive and competitive team.”

MILFORD

Coach: Mike Wright

2018 Results: 6th in Division II

Returning Varsity Runners: Abbey Halloran,

Soph.; Lori DeMambro, Sr.; Liz Rodil, Sr.; Leslie

McGrath, Jr.; Lexi Labour, Soph.; Jona Velasquez,

Soph.

Promising Newcomers: None

Coach’s Comments: “We’re looking for this

team to return to the Meet of Champions for the

third year in a row.”

SOUHEGAN

Coach: Geoffrey Wilson

2018 Results: 3rd in Division II

Returning Varsity Runners: Chloe Trudel,

Soph.; Adriana Zlotnick, Jr.; Molly Jennings, Jr.;

Emma Hererro, Soph.; Sophia Lunati, Soph.

Promising Newcomers: Masho Primmer,

Frosh.; Audrey Littlefield, Frosh.; Riley Greene,

Soph.

Division III

CAMPBELL

Coach: Jan Platt

2018 Results: 2nd in Division III

Returning Varsity Runners: Michelle Freeman, Sr.; Riley Gamache, Jr.; Cassie Hemming,

Jr.; Isabella Risitano, Jr.; Megan Whitnell, Jr.;

Lyndsey Brown, Jr.; Nicole Monoxelos, Jr.

Promising Newcomers: Dasia Kham, Soph.;

Brook Sullivan, Soph.; Tavia Almeida, Soph.; Paige

Groulx, Frosh.

Division I

ALVIRNE

Coach: Thomas Daigle

2018 Results: 10th in Division I

Returning Varsity Runners: Paul Balletto, Jr.;

Davonte Mckoy-Sophos, Sr.; Cooper Downey,

Jr.; Alec Dubois, Sr.; Jacob Moralez, Sr.; Shea

Williams, Sr., Alex Kolodziej, Jr.; Jack Marotta,

Sr.; Connor Urbach, Sr.; Mike Bardsley, Sr.; Liam

McNeil, Jr.; Michael Bates, Soph.; John Crawford,

Soph.

Promising Newcomers: Matthew Gerling,

Frosh.; Anthon Santos, Jr.; AJ Prescott, Frosh.;

Cody Cahill, Frosh.; Peter Fagella, Frosh.; Aiden

Lechner, Frosh.; Joshua Caron, Frosh.; Leo

Bunkartas, Frosh; Nicholas Marcotte, Frosh.

Coach’s Comments: “We have some strong

runners returning from previous years and came

back in very good shape. If we can stay injury free

I believe we will have a very competitive season.”

BISHOP GUERTIN

Coach: Robert Bottomley

2018 Results: 9th in Division I

Returning Varsity Runners: Carson Bottomley,

Sr.; Aidan Johnson, Sr.; Rohan Solanki, Sr.; Gabe

Romanauskas, Sr.; Terry Wong, Sr.; Ben Stawasz,

Jr.; Erik Wizboski, Jr.; Joe Dewane, Soph.; Nate

Fondakowski, Soph.; Mike Gigliotti, Soph.; Alex

Girata, Soph.; AJ Mack, Soph.; Brandon Metivier,

Soph.; Duncan Premus, Soph.; Josh Sanders,

Soph.; Sebastian Zeman, Soph.

Promising Newcomers: Teague Carpenter,

Soph.; Jack Casey, Soph.; Liam Chapman, Soph.;

Santiago Annuziato, Frosh.; Alex Bartoshevich,

Frosh.; Sam Clauson, Frosh.; Nick Currier, Frosh.;

Anthony Fernandez, Frosh.; Brayden Goode, Frosh.; Derek Griebel, Frosh.; Garret Griego, Frosh.;

Will Thompson, Frosh.; Kaelem Wagner, Frosh.;

Emerson Warren, Frosh.; Noah Zeman, Frosh.

Coach’s Comments: “We could not be more

excited about the number of boys out for cross

country. Their enthusiasm and work ethic has been

tremendous.”

MERRIMACK

Coach: Kevin Champigny

2018 Results: 8th in Division I

Returning Varsity Runners: Andrew Peyton,

Sr.; Scott Peyton, Sr.; Andrew Frothingham, Sr.;

Adam Ellis, Sr.; Eli Demeo, Sr.; Ryan Fischer, Jr.;

Josh Felo, Jr.

Promising Newcomer: Josh Brown, Sr.

Coach’s Comments: “We have almost our

entire varsity squad returning and they’ve learned

a lot from their experiences over the last couple of

years. It’s a deep and promising team and we’re

looking forward to a strong season.”

NASHUA NORTH

Coach: Arthur Kobs

2018 results: 6th in Division I

Returning Varsity Runners: Rory Curran, Sr.;

Yassine Jakib, Sr.; Josh Lentz, Sr.; Jamie Maddock, Sr.

Promising Newcomers: Jimmy Reel, Jr.; Nick

Drew, Jr.; Ben Foley, Jr.; Bobby Carnaway, Frosh.

Coach’s Comments: “As always the season

will depend on them running together and finding

a few more to complement their efforts. It takes

many more than just four to be a team. Fortunately

we have a few coming back and coming into the

program that could be a real big help.”

NASHUA SOUTH

Coach: Ryan Haggerty

2018 Results: 15th in Division I

Returning Varsity Runners: Joey Calomo, Sr.;

Kevin Flaherty, Sr.; Caden Hedquist, Sr.; Jeff Lam,

Sr.; Colby Martel, Sr.; Michael Rzasa, Sr.; Maxim

Merkuryev, Soph.

Promising Newcomers: Juho Hahto, Soph.;

Connor Theodore, Frosh.; Keith O’Donnell, Frosh.;

Clifford Teixeira, Frosh.

Coach’s Comments: “This season is going

to be a great turning point. Athletes have trained

hard during the summer, we have clear goals and

expectations, and we are ready to do what is necessary in order to have a successful season.”

Division II

HOLLIS BROOKLINE

Coach: Yolanda Flamino

2018 results: 10th in Division II

Returning Varsity Runners: Jacob Dwyer,

Soph.; John Kotelly, Soph.; Jake Laborde, Soph.;

Troy Moscatelli, Soph.; Nathaniel Sartell, Sr.

Promising Newcomers: Ryan Burgher, Frosh.;

Ayden Finnegan, Frosh.; Luke Laborde, Frosh.

Coach’s Comments: “With a lot of talented

freshmen joining the team, we look to build into a

cohesive and competitive team.”

MILFORD

Coach: Mike Wright

2018 Results: Did not place in Division II

Returning Varsity Runners: Caleb Korthals,

Jr.; Mason Arsenau, Jr.; Caeleb Fortunato, Jr.

Promising newcomers: Jeremy Stanley, Jr.;

Aidan Robie, Soph.; James Arsenault, Soph.

Coach’s Comments: “It’s a strong group of

juniors returning, so we hope to be top 10 at the

Division II meet.”

SOUHEGAN

Coach: Geoffrey Wilson

Results: 4th in Division II

Returning Varsity Runners: Thomas Headington, Sr.; Ethan McFee, Jr.

Promising Newcomers: Andrew Strauss,

Soph.; Peter Headington, Soph.; Nolan Dickinson,

Soph.; Kariso Anderson, Frosh.; Asa Irvine, Soph.;

Sean Quinn, Soph.; Phillip Dodge, Frosh.; Ben

Marcella, Frosh.; Andrew Steel, Frosh.

Division III

CAMPBELL

Coach: Jan Platt

2018 Results: 2nd in Division III

Returning Varsity Runners: Matthew Dion,

Sr.; Trevor Scopelites, Sr.; Tyler Scopelites, Sr.;

Colby Schmitt, Jr.

Promising Newcomers: Keegan Reynolds,

Soph.; Devin Lencki, Frosh.

Coach’s Comments: “Take one meet at a time

and look foward to October for the state meet.”

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