THE GIRLS’ CROSS-COUNTRY TEAM will be led by, from left, senior captain Gabby Bottaro, senior captain Kaila George and head coach Liane Cook this fall. (Dan Tomasello Photo)
After press time:
Lynnfield defeats Amesbury 30-25 (Sept. 11)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — It’s a new era for the girls’ cross-country team.
Lynnfield High School science teacher Liane Cook was recently named as the girls’ cross-country team’s head coach. Boys’ cross-country head coach Bill Wallace previously coached both teams the last two seasons before they were separated this year. Current boys’ cross-country assistant coach Joe DiBiase also coached both teams for 27 years before he and Wallace switched roles three years ago.
“I love it,” said Cook about taking over the girls’ cross-country team. “I’ve been a coach for the 17 of my 24 years of teaching, so it feels great to be back. I only took time off because something needed to give when I had my son seven years ago and as my parents got older.”
After previously coaching “numerous sports” at Catholic schools for 11 years, Cook started coaching the LHS girls’ indoor track team in 2010 when she first started teaching science at the high school.
“I coached indoor track that first year and continued coaching indoor track until 2017,” said Cook. “I coached outdoor track from 2014-2016, though I was informally involved with the program by helping out at practices and meets since 2011. I also informally helped Bill Wallace and Joe DiBiase with the cross-country program every year for the last 13 years at LHS. Although I never officially coached cross-country, I ran cross-country in high school and at Haverford College.”
Cook recalled that the Pioneers concluded last season with a 3-2 record. She has high hopes for the upcoming season.
“Our goal is to have a record above .500,” said Cook. “We’re in the small division of the Cape Ann League, so we think that’s a realistic goal.”
Two senior captains will be leading the Pioneers this fall, including Gabby Bottaro.
“Gabby has been one of the top runners on the team for the last four years,” said Cook. “I am looking forward to the leadership she will show both on and off the running courses.”
Cook has been impressed with the leadership senior captain Kaila George has provided since the season started.
“Kaila has done an awesome job this season leading the girls in tough workouts and helping the underclassmen feel welcome on the team,” said Cook.
Cook said senior Caitlin Buoniconti has also returned to the trail this fall.
“Caitlin has been showing gutsy determination during tough workouts and has done a great job trying to recruit younger runners to the program,” said Cook.
Cook also has high hopes for senior Lily White, junior Abby Lopez, junior April Sun and sophomore Maeve Wertz.
“Lily, Abby, April and Maeve are a strong group of runners who, with more mileage this fall and more workouts under their belt, could help us score well at meets,” said Cook.
Cook said senior Ciara Long, junior Shealyn Moore, sophomore Inaaya Qazafi, freshman Afsana Rabban, freshman Gemma Padovani, freshman Julia Maliawco and freshman Gabby Cassano round out the Pioneers’ core. She noted that the Pioneers are a “small team” this season.
“We’re looking for other athletes who are willing to run and want to be part of a fun supportive team,” said Cook.
Cook said the Pioneers have to continue working hard as the season progresses.
“The girls’ team needs to work on the confidence to push hard in a meet to pass other runners,” said Cook.
The Pioneers travel to Amesbury on Wednesday, Sept. 11, beginning at 4 p.m.
