THE LHS girls’ cross country team celebrated their five seniors in their final home meet of the season last week. The Pioneers will now get ready for the postseason. (Courtesy Photo)
By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — Lynnfield High girls’ cross country coach Liane Cook knew her team faced a huge challenge on Oct. 9 as they hosted undefeated Hamilton-Wenham in the team’s final dual meet of the season.
The Generals showed why they are unbeaten as they defeated the Pioneers 17-45.
With the loss, the Pioneers fell to 2-3 while Hamilton-Wenham improved to 5-0.
Gabby Bottaro with a time of 20:19, was the first Pioneer to complete the 2.9-mile course as she came in 4th overall. It was her best time this year by 45 seconds as she has been the first Pioneer to finish in every race so far this fall.
Kaila George was 7th overall at 21:15, which was her personal-best time by two seconds.
Caitlin Buoniconti, was 3rd on the team and 8th overall, beating her personal-best time by one second at 21:24.
Abby Lopez was 10th at 22:08 while Shea Moore, at 22:22, captured 12th. For Moore, is was her best time of the year by 45 seconds.
Maeve Wertz (22:22), April Sun (23:33) and Lily White (23:40) all recorded personal-best times as well in the meet.
“Almost everybody got a personal record,” pointed out Pioneers first-year head coach Liane Cook. “Hamilton-Wenham is absolutely the best team we have faced this year. They have a lot of depth and their top five runners are strong.”
It was also Lynnfield’s Senior Day as the five Pioneer seniors, Bottaro, George, Buonconti, White and Ciara Long, were honored before the meet.
On Oct. 18, the Pioneers will head into Franklin Park in Boston to compete in the Catholic Memorial Invitational. The first race will start at 9 p.m.
