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CHAMPIONS! Guertin boys win X-C title; Finn, Trudel take firsts

By Marc Breton - Special to The Telegraph | Oct 31, 2021

The Bishop Guerton boys cross country team took cener stage on Saturday as the Division I champions at Derryfield Park in Manchester. (Twitter photo courtesy of BG Athletics)

Champions galore.

The cross country championships were held at a soggy Derryfield Park in Manchester with a few local talents and teams bringing home the big trophy.

The Bishop Guertin’s boys team had a total of 58 points bringing home the Division I overall team championship to Nashua. The Cardinals were led by Nate Fondakowski (fifth, 16:33.5), Matthew Giardina (ninth, 16:44.9) and Sean O’Keefe (10th, 16:48.5).

“The day went very well,” BG coach Thomas Cassetty said. “The boys approached the day thinking about their position in the race instead of worrying about time. On a day like today with the conditions the way they were, time means nothing. It’s all about where you are scoring as a runner.

“The boys ran hard with a lot of heart and determination. They set their sights on this race early on in the season, wanting to win a Division I State Championship for their school for the first time in over a decade. It took a strong race on their part because the competition was tough, but they did what they set out to do, and brought home a championship trophy.

“Myself and assistant Coach Mike Dunhom could not be prouder or more pleased with the way the boys performed today. They fought hard for the win. All seven boys ran their hearts out, and added a big win to their undefeated season.”

Meanwhile, Bishop Guertin’s MaryKate Finn won the Division I individual championship with a time of 19:10.5. Cards coach Danielle Fischer had plenty of confidence in Finn.

“Before the race I told MK it would be her day to win the title that had eluded her last fall,” she said. “I knew she could do it since all season she was crushing it, hitting her markers and recovering well. I said to her I believe you can win this…the question was by how much. Her response was humble…she doesn’t realize how talented she is.”

Meanwhile, Souhegan’s Chloe Trudel ran a time of 19:05.5 to win the Division II championship. Sabers coach Jeff Wilson on Trudel’s championship run: “Chloe was definitely on today, taking charge relatively early in the race. I couldn’t be happier for her, as she is an incredibly hard working and focused athlete, and just a great kid! This was Chloe’s second DII Individual Championship in three years (she won in 2019, and was runner up last year to Addison Cox), and is just another demonstration of her tenacity in big races.

“The better the competition, the better she races. I’m already looking forward to watching her race at the Meet of Champions (next Saturday at Nashua South) and the New England Championships.”

Wilson said that Trudel was a huge key for the Sabers, obviously, as they finished second in Division II.

“Chloe is also a captain and the true heart and soul of this year’s team, which also had an excellent race, finishing in the runner up spot to an outstanding Oyster River team,” Wilson said.

DIVISION I BOYS

Nashua South finished seventh overall in boys competition with a 25th place finish by Juho Hahto and a 43rd place finish by Alex Thibeault. Alvirne had a 10th place finish. John Crawford was 21st and Nick Marcotte was 27th for the Broncos.

Nashua North’s Matthew Robert ended the day in 23rd and D’Sean Coffie was 51st; while the Titans placed 13th. Cameron Fredette was the highest finisher for Merrimack coming in 24th and the Tomahawks finished 16th overall.

DIVISION II-III BOYS

Souhegan had a great team day with an eighth place overall finish. Jaren Noorda was 23rd, Owen Stine was 40th and Nolan Dickinson was 41st for the Sabers.

Hollis Brookline picked up a top 10 finishing in 10th place with leading runners Ryan Burgher (20th) and Ayden Finnegan (49th). Daniel Sixon led Milford with a 25th place run and the Spartans finished 16th overall. Campbell finished 15th overall in Division III led by Devin Lencki in 23rd.

DIVISION I GIRLS

Bishop Guertin’s girls had the best local team finish placing in seventh. The Cardinals were led by Finn, Fiona Doherty (29th) and Anna Fondakowski (31st). Nashua North finished just inside the top 10 ending their day in ninth. Top finishers for the Titans were Laura White (13th), Dantia Braccio (34th) and Erin Sung (43rd). Meghan Conway had a 19th place run and Jenna Lecklider had a 28th place day for 10th place Nashua South.

Merrimack had an overall team finish of 12th place. Melanie Bedard was 25th and Eileen Pencinger was 49th. Alvirne was 13th overall with their highest finisher being Anna Simpson in 40th.

DIVISION II-III GIRLS

Souhegan finished runner up in the Division II championship. The Sabers were led by Trudel, Stephanie Svendsen (sixth, 20:11.1) and Emma Jarnagin (18th). Amy Pattelena represented Hollis Brookline with an 11th place run.

Milford placed 12th in the team overall. Abbey Halloran bested her Spartan teammates finishing 16th, while Victoria Cornaro was 49th.

Campbell had a top five finish in the Division III championship placing in fourth. Sophia Berube led with a 14th place finish, Brooke Sullivan was 24th and Amelia Silver was 26th.

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