CAPTAINS, from left, Shea McCarthy, Shlok Kudrimoti, Ashkrit Mahajan and Dylan Nguyen will be leading the boys’ cross-country team this fall. (Dan Tomasello Photo)

 

 

After press time:
Lynnfield falls to Amesbury 32-25 (Sept. 11)

 


By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — The boys’ cross-country team is back on the trail and is looking to progress over the course of the season.

Lynnfield concluded last season with a 2-3 record. Head coach Bill Wallace said the Pioneers graduated 12 seniors last year.

“We lost a lot of seniors from last year’s boys’ team, so there are a lot of questions coming into this season,” said Wallace. “We do have some returning runners from last year’s team who should be contributors this year. We are in the small division of the Cape Ann League, so that might help us since we will be a team with a lot of inexperience on the varsity team.”

Four captains will be leading the Pioneers this fall, including senior Shea McCarthy.

“Shea is our returning MVP,” said Wallace. “You can tell he did a lot of training over the summer and is now ready to lead this team.”

Wallace said captain Dylan Nguyen will be one of the Pioneers’ top runners this season.

“Dylan is one of our top returning runners and will hopefully help Shea lead this team,” said Wallace. “He is a junior.”

Wallace said senior captain Ashkrit Mahajan is healthy heading into the upcoming season.

“I think Ashkrit is ready to contribute to this team,” said Wallace. “He had some injuries last year that kept him from reaching his full potential. Hopefully this year will go a little bit better for him.”

Wallace said senior captain Shlok Kudrimoti is a “vocal” leader.

“Shlok will help push some of the newer runners, which should help our team overall,” said Wallace.

Wallace said junior Nick DeGennaro “just missed qualifying for states last year.”

“Nick is ready to be a regular contributor this season,” said Wallace. “He is a hard worker and, as a coach, I really want to see him perform well this year.”

Wallace said senior Matthew Squadrito is a “hard worker that puts everything into his training.”

“Matthew has been loyal to this program as a four-year runner and will hopefully have a solid season,” said Wallace.

Wallace said junior Mike Marenghi is looking to take the next step as a cross-country runner.

“Mike was new to the sport last year and ended up having a really good season,” said Wallace. “He has a chance to make our varsity team if he keeps up the hard work.”

Wallace said sophomore Liam Gardner is also looking to progress on the trail this fall.

“Liam had a strong freshman season last year and will hopefully take that next step and help contribute to the varsity team,” said Wallace.

Wallace said sophomore Ritvik Mahajan has “made huge improvements from last year.”

“You can tell Ritvik did his summer training,” said Wallace. “Hopefully that will translate into a great season for him.”

Wallace said sophomore Rowan Bayer is a promising new addition on the Pioneers.

“Rowan has come out for cross-country this year after playing soccer last year,” said Wallace. “He has had a solid start to the season, and I am hoping he might help the varsity team this year.”

Wallace said the leadership provided by the upperclassmen will be the Pioneers’ biggest strength this season.

“With an inexperienced team, it is going to be important that these guys help set the tone and lead the younger runners,” said Wallace.

Wallace said the Pioneers to need continue gaining experience as the season progresses.

“Graduating 12 seniors from last year has left a lot of questions to be answered, but I believe we have guys that can step up and fill those roles as the season progresses,” said Wallace. “We just need to stay healthy and keep working hard throughout the season. I always tell them that it’s not how you start the season, but it’s how you finish. The big races such as the league meet and states are where you want to be at your best. We have stepped up in those big meets the last several years and hopefully we continue to do that. That is the sign of a strong program.”

The Pioneers travel to Amesbury on Wednesday, Sept. 11, beginning at 4 p.m.