WAKEFIELD’s top five ran a strong race against rival Melrose from start to finish. Pictured from left to right is Wakefield’s “wolf pack”: captain Olivia Lucey (710), captain Isabella Kehoe (714), Audrey Schopperle (715), Shannon Driscoll (709) and captain Retta Carroll (711). (Donna Larsson Photo)
Published in the October 4, 2018 edition.
WAKEFIELD — For the third time in three years, the Wakefield and Melrose girls’ cross country teams were decided by just one point.
After Wakefield did the honors in 2016, the Red Raiders knocked off the Warriors from the top of the Freedom Division last year. Wakefield chose to remember that during their offseason training. Their first two meets against Belmont and Wilmington were important, but the Warriors had this meet circled on their calendars as soon as soon as the final runner crossed the line last year.
“It was everything I thought it would be,” said Wakefield head coach Karen Barrett. “We planned to have our top six girls go out in a pack, but just before the race started, one of my top six runners was not able to run due to an injury. Our girls still rose to the occasion!”
So, it was Wakefield’s top five that needed to reach another gear.
Junior captain Olivia Lucey finished second overall at 20:10. Audrey Schopperle was right behind her at 20:17 for 3rd.
Captain Isabella Kehoe took 5th overall at 20:38 and captain Retta Carroll (8th, 20:53) crossed the line with Shannon Driscoll (20:54) which ended up being the difference as Driscoll finished two seconds ahead of Melrose’s 5th runner who took 10th overall.
“My top five ran great,” said Barrett. “Lucey was close to her PR, Schopperle tied her PR, while Kehoe and Driscoll both got PR’S. Carroll ran well after coming back from being sick.”
Melrose entered the meet with a deep team, but two specifically strong runners. One, a freshman, got first overall with a time of 20:05. Their number-one runner got lost on the course when she was in the lead and had to back-track, ultimately finishing 7th overall at 20:51. It may have been the difference in this one.
“It is so important to know the course, especially when you are leading,” said Barrett. “She will get many more chances to win based on her talent. I have had this happen to some of my athletes in the past, and used it as a teaching moment.”
While certainly catching a break there, Wakefield still executed and seized the opportunity. It’s a race that has typically decided the champion of the Freedom in recent years. Wakefield has three more strong opponents all on the road, starting with Burlington on Tuesday, but they certainly earned a chance to celebrate this big win.
“I was happy with the girls’ mental toughness as it was a very important Meet for us,” said Barrett. “We are going to continue to work on pack running the first mile for the rest of the season.”
“Although, we are done running on our course, I believe my girls are going to continue to run faster times this season. If we reach our full potential we will have a good showing at the state meet.”
