Warriors drop season opener to Woburn
WAKEFIELD — For the first time since 2011, the Wakefield Memorial girls’ cross country team has suffered a loss. The good news, however, is that the meet doesn’t count in the Middlesex League Freedom division standings.
Wakefield dropped a 19-42 decision against Woburn in the season opener on Tuesday afternoon at the Beasley Course. The meet was a crossover one against a team from the M.L. Liberty division.
“The Wakefield girls suffered their first loss in (over) two years,” said Head Coach Karen Barrett. “Lucky for us this meet does not count for the league standings.”
Woburn’s Gina D’Addario broke the course record running an 18:16. The record was previously held by Lucy Howard with a 19:06.
“Woburn took the first three places which is an automatic win in cross country,” said Barrett. “Although I was disappointed with the loss, I knew going in that they had way more depth than we do. I was encouraged with the times our runners posted.”
Senior tri-captain Emily Hammond was first for Wakefield (fourth overall) with a 19:35. Sara Custodio, a junior, was next running a 20:22 for fifth place. Both girls were just off their personal best.
Barrett felt it was nice to see Lauren Sallade, a senior tri-captain, running again. She was third for the team (13th overall) running a 21:45.
Sophomore Abby Harrington was fourth for the team (14th overall) running a personal best time of 21:52.
Sophomore Maeve Conway finished out the scoring with a personal best of 22:04. She took 15th overall.
Reilly McNamara, a junior, was next in 16th place with a time of 23:18.
Finishing things off for the varsity squad was freshman Gillian Russell. She ran a 23:23 which Barrett felt was a great time for her first race.
Right behind Russell was sophomore newcomer Jordan Stackhouse with a 23:24 just missing varsity.
“She works hard and I know she will be very successful,” said Barrett.
Junior Catherine Urbano, junior Sam Ross, and senior tri-captain Joanna Hammond were next with times of 23:41, 24:08, and 24:57.
Freshman Emily Connors also ran well for her first race as she timed in at 25:12. Marissa Pesce, a junior, was next at 27:31 followed by two more freshmen, Sarah Filleaul and Victoria Popp. They had times of 30:18 and 30:20.
“Our goal for the next meet is to close the time gap between our first and seventh runners. If we continue to do this it will put us in a good position to be in the running for league champs again,” said Barrett. “We will continue to train hard this week for our second non league meet against Lexington next Tuesday.”
The Warriors take on the powerful Lexington team on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 3:45 p.m. at the Lincoln Park Course.
