Nadeau, Murphy, Butler lead North Reading attack
Published October 8, 2020
NORTH READING — For the first time in what has seemed like an eternity, high school sports have resumed at North Reading High School.
The Hornet cross country squad comes into the season under the leadership of head coach Ryan Spinney and assistant coach Andrew Falanga. The boys’ squad numbers 19 total runners with captains Jack Murphy and Devin Adams at the helm, while the girls’ squad fields nine total runners with captains Nicole Steinmeyer and Abigail McLaughlin leading the charge.
“We are really excited to see how this season develops,” said Spinney, who is in his 6th year as the head coach of the program after a number of years as an assistant to former head coach Derek Dorval. “The captains did a great job this summer organizing group runs and helped keep everyone motivated while the season hung in the balance. We are focusing on having as much fun as possible and continued personal improvement throughout the fall.”
Nadeau and Murphy take 2-3 but Clippers take win
Led by junior Aidan Nadeau and senior captain Jack Murphy, the Hornets fell to Newburyport by a score of 23-38. Nadeau and Murphy ran very strong races on the new Ipswich River Park 2.9 mile course as they took 2nd and 3rd overall in times of 15:42 and 15:48 respectively.
“Aidan and Jack put in a ton of work this summer and it is certainly showing,” said Spinney. “They both averaged under 5:30 per mile pace and to do that in your first race of a season is really something impressive.”
Taking 3rd for the Hornets and 12th overall in the race was sophomore Nick Fabrizio, who ran a strong time of 16:50.
“Nick is really starting to emerge as a potential strong runner for our team. He is getting stronger and smarter with his races and training,” said Spinney.
Rounding out the squad in the varsity race was junior Anthony Petrosino (14th overall, 17:28), senior PJ Menis (15th, 18:50), senior Nick Rinaldi (16th, 20:00), senior captain Devin Adams (17th, 20:15), senior Garrett Butler (18th, 21:28), senior Kyle Moore (19th, 22:34) and senior Jacob Doolin (20th, 23:28).
In the JV race, sophomore Ben Meier led the way with a 5th overall finish in a time of 20:23. Following Meier was senior Zachery Baker (6th overall, 21:10), sophomore Christian DaCosta (8th, 21:50), freshman Dylan Zecher (9th, 21:56), sophomore Shane Hanson (10th, 22:27) and senior Erik Wieselquist (15th, 22:55).
“A number of our guys really ran well in the JV race today. They certainly made their case to get moved up to the varsity squad. Healthy competition is good motivation for everyone on the team,” stated Spinney.
Butler sets the tone for Hornets in loss
Sophomore Annalise Butler started off her campaign with a strong effort on 19:36 over the 2.9 mile course. That was good enough for 5th place for the Hornet squad as they fell to a strong Newburyport team by a score of 16-47.
“Annalise has the potential to be a standout runner for NR and in the Cape Ann League,” said Spinney. “She works really hard and has the desire to be a great runner. It will be awesome to watch her improve over the next few months and years.”
Following Butler in the race were seven other Hornet competitors led by junior captain Abigail McLaughlin (12th overall, 22:04), sophomore Alyssa Cassarino (13th, 23:27), junior Rose Morelli (14th, 24:41), junior Kayla Imbriano (15th, 24:43), junior Stephanie Stringer (16th, 25:13), junior Riley Cullen (17th, 25:33) and freshman Allison Koenig (18th, 27:21).
“The team competed hard today and it was a good tone setter for the rest of the season,” said Spinney. “They know we have a lot of work to do and we will continue to improve if the effort level remains high.”
The Hornets will be back in action as they will take on Pentucket Regional on Thursday, Oct. 8 at Pipestave Fields in West Newbury.
