LHS cross country teams are in it for the long haul

Published in the September 12, 2018 edition

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — The cross country teams are back on the trail and looking to make some noise in the Cape Ann League.

Both cross country teams concluded last season with a 3-7 record. Pioneers head coach Joe DiBiase noted the CAL is “typically regarded as the toughest distance league in the state.”

“Both teams are working hard and improving,” said DiBiase. “We have many new runners.  Our top runners had a good summer of mileage and training, and we are battling through the hot weather. The first 10 days of the season were brutal as we were trying to get the long runs in while monitoring the heat. The upperclassmen on both teams are good friends and are very close, and are really doing a great job of integrating the ‘feeling,’ spirit and work ethic of running to the new runners. They are disciplined and are wonderful with helping teach the new runners what the sport is all about.”

DiBiase noted both teams “are close knit” and are “helping make the new runners feel like they are a part of the Lynnfield track and cross country family.” 

“Every year, my wife and I host a preseason team hill workout and pizza/pool party at our house in North Andover, and this year we had the largest turnout in years,” said DiBiase.

Boys’ team

The boys’ cross country team will be led by three captains this year including senior Joe Fabrizio.

“Joe is a four-year runner who is incredibly organized and helpful with team leadership and motivation,” said DiBiase. “He is a steady runner and a great role model.”

Senior captain Stephen Dwyer has also been lacing up his sneakers for the Pioneers for the past four years.

“Steve is currently the number two runner on the team,” said DiBiase. “He is very hard working and leads by example.”

DiBiase said senior captain David Blake has improved greatly this year.

“David is always willing to help the new runners,” said DiBiase. “He is a strong and dedicated runner who is talented and smart. He is involved with the school play, chorus and musicals.”

The boys’ team has several key returners this year including sophomore John Astrofsky.

“John is a super runner,” said DiBiase. “He works extremely hard and trained very well over the summer. He came into the season in unbelievable shape. He is our number one runner. It’s really rare to have a 10th grader as our top runner, but he is clearly the leader on the roads of this team. His potential is unlimited and he’s a fantastic kid. He is a natural leader and very tough.”

DiBiase said sophomore Michael Madden is poised to have a strong season.

“Michael surprised everyone by moving up into our top pack,” said DiBiase. “He is a good guy who trained very hard and is in great shape.”

DiBiase said junior Sam Pifko, who also plays on the boys’ hockey team, “brings size and toughness to our top pack.” He also said sophomore John Briggs is one of the boys’ team’s top seven runners and Jake Soriano will be playing a key role as well.

Girls’ team

Senior Annie Olsen will serve as one of two captains for the girls’ team.

“Annie is a four-year runner who is very dedicated and motivated,” said DiBiase. “She participates in Fernando Braz’s ‘Going the Distance’ running program during the summer. She has been helpful teaching the new runners the ropes. She was injured last season and is hoping for a rebound season this year. She looks healthy so far.”

Senior captain Brie Passatempo will serve as the girls’ team’s number one runner this fall.

“Brie is a very talented runner who is very driven and motivated,” said DiBiase. “She is an extremely hard worker who sets the tone of every workout. She is a quiet leader who leads by example much like Stephen Dwyer. She also worked hard this summer at Going the Distance.”

Junior Elizabeth St Andre will serve as one of the girls’ team’s top runners.

“Elizabeth is very tough and quietly confident,” said DiBiase.

DiBiase said the girls’ team’s top seven runners are rounded out by senior Keira Rothwell, senior Lucy Madden, junior Cass Shone and sophomore Sarah Deschenes.

“They work well with the team and individually and add to the team spirit and work ethic,” said DiBiase.

The girls’ team has welcomed two promising new additions including junior Brooke Mitchell.

“Brooke is new to the team but looks like she has been running for years,” said DiBiase.

DiBiase said freshman Kayleigh Weeks is another new promising addition to the girls’ team.

“Kayleigh looks to be able to handle the mileage and the races in a strong manner,” said DiBiase. “She seems pretty tough and willing to work hard.”

Health needed

DiBiase noted the biggest thing for the Pioneers to do this season is to “stay healthy.”

“Not everyone got the necessary mileage in during the summer and combined with the risk of doing most of our training on the roads, we have to be careful with overuse injuries such as shin splints,” said DiBiase.

Amesbury meet   

The cross country teams competed against Amesbury on Sept. 5.

The boys’ team defeated Amesbury 26-29. The low score wins in cross country.

Astrofsky finished first during the meet (18:00).

“John ran a terrific and gutsy race,” said DiBiase. “He took the lead from the start and kept it the entire race. It was a tough hilly, rugged course and temperatures were in the 90s. He really looks to be in great shape. It’s been awhile since we had a runner this strong as a sophomore. The last runner was Andrew Drinkwater, Class of 2013.”

Dwyer secured a third place finish during the meet against Amesbury (18:30). Madden finished fifth overall (19:02). Pifko finished eighth (19:32) and Blake was ninth (19:40).

The girls’ team fell 31-26 to Amesbury.

DiBiase said Passatempo ran a strong race, but was unable to finish due to heat exhaustion.

“I’m confident it was freak thing with the heat,” said DiBiase.

St Andre finished second against Amesbury (22:32). Olsen finished third overall (23:18).

“Both girls showed impressive toughness in the heat,” said DiBiase.

Shone secured a fifth place finish (23:44). Deschenes finished 10th overall (25:29) and Rothwell was 11th (25:38).