Published September 26, 2019
NORTH READING — On a day where over 75 percent of the North Reading Hornet Cross Country runners had personal records at Harold Parker State Forest, it was only fitting that senior captain Lindsay MacLellan would take down the Harold Parker home course and school records with a 16:44 performance against Pentucket on Sept. 18.
MacLellan bested the 16:46 overall course record by Manchester-Essex runner Olivia Lantz and the school record of 16:48 by Nicole Roberts. Both times were achieved in the same race in 2013.
The Hornets fought valiantly and gave the Sachems quite a scare, but Pentucket would take home the victory with scores of 25-32 in the girls’ race and 17-43 in the boys’ race.
SENIOR CAPTAIN Lindsay MacLellan crosses the finish line during North Reading’s meet against Pentucket. MacLellan broke both the Harold Parker course record and the school record with a time of 16:44, two seconds faster than the course record and four seconds better than the school record. Also pictured is a very happy head coach, Ryan Spinney. (John Friberg Photo)
“This record has been a goal of mine since early last season. Last year, I wasn’t able to attain it and I worked really hard this summer knowing it was something I wanted to achieve. I would never have been able to do it without the amazing support of my family, coaches and teammates,” said a very happy MacLellan after the race.
“Lindsay is truly a special athlete and person,” said head coach Ryan Spinney. “She pushes herself so hard and wants to be the very best she can be. But in the same breath, she is always the first person to congratulate and cheer on others in their endeavors. When someone of her level of talent and superior character achieves something of this magnitude, it is truly a special moment.”
Freshman Annalise Butler followed MacLellan’s lead as she was the second Hornet to cross the finish line in 4th place overall in a time of 18:42. Senior captain Ali Grasso and sophomore Abigail McLaughlin took 7th and 8th overall in times of 19:34 and 19:48 respectively.
Unfortunately, Pentucket’s depth got the best of the Hornets as they took places nine through 15 to seal the victory. Senior Lauren Sullivan took 16th overall in a time of 21:17 and was the Hornet’s fifth runner.
Rounding out the top seven included senior captain Lauren Meaney (20th, 21:58) and freshman Alyssa Cassarino (21st, 22:01).
Other Hornet competitors included senior Elena Cogan (30th, 23:31), senior Isabella Raso (32nd, 23:33), sophomore Stephanie Stringer (33rd, 23:39), senior Samantha Galvin (39th, 24:08) and senior Kaitlyn Lehane (40th, 24:10).
“Pentucket is a very talented team and our girls made it a very close meet,” said Spinney. “We are improving each and every time we compete and we will certainly be a team to watch come November at the state level if we stay on this path.”
Boys fall in tough contest
In the boys’ meet, the Sachems took the top three spots and seven of the top 10 to best the Hornets, 17-43.
Leading the Hornets was senior captain Andrew DeBenedetto who took 4th overall in 15:36. Junior captain Jack Murphy took 7th in a personal best of 15:50 and sophomore Anthony Petrosino took 9th in a time of 16:54.
The Hornet top seven included sophomore Frank Cassarino (15th, 17:11), freshman Nick Fabrizio (19th, 17:38), senior Chris Nearing (22nd, 17:52) and junior Nick Rinaldi (23rd, 17:54).
“Andrew, Jack and Anthony led the way with their strong efforts today against an excellent opponent,” said Spinney. “We expected it to be a tough contest, but we ran our very best and that is all we can ask for. The score of the meet doesn’t do it justice, our team ran exceptionally well today and it bodes well for the future meets this season.”
Other Hornet competitors included junior PJ Menis (26th, 17:57), sophomore Nick Doucette (27th, 18:01), senior Matt McGotty (19:05), senior captain Nick O’Donnell (36th, 19:34), freshman Ben Meier (37th, 19:37), junior Zack Baker (39th, 19:43), junior Peter Wyatt (41st, 19:52), junior Devin Adams (45th, 20:01), junior Adam Zecher (52nd, 21:21), senior Ben Elis (56th, 21:43), junior Erik Wieselquist (57th, 21:44), junior Kyle Moore (61st, 22:56) and senior Erik Doucette (67th, 27:13).
Both Hornet squads are now 0-2 on the season. Their next race will be on Wednesday, October 2 at Old Town Hill in Newbury against Triton Regional.
