Two years in a row, the Concord boys’ cross country team lost the Capital Area Championships by one point. This year, the Tide were just one point away from perfection.
Jamie Wilkes won the boys’ individual title in a time of 16:35, leading his teammates to a sweep of the top four spots. The Tide had another runner finish sixth, giving Concord a nearly perfect score of 16, dominating the race and avenging two heartbreaking losses to St. Paul’s (by one point in 2015 and in a tiebreaker in 2014).
On the girls’ side, Merrimack Valley’s Kristie Schoffield defended her home course for the third year in a row, breaking her own course record with a time of 19:25, while the Tide placed four runners in the top eight, leading Concord to its fifth straight Capital Area title.
Behind Wilkes, sophomore Forest Mackenzie (16:36), junior Ollie Spencer (16:43) and freshman Ryan Devine (16:57) rounded out the top four. Sophomore Eli Boesch-Dining (sixth, 17:01), junior Matthew O’Brien (seventh, 17:09) and junior Alex Duncan (11th, 17:12) rounded out Concord’s runners.
Wilkes, Mackenzie and Spencer took an early lead and stuck together as a pack until the last 800 meters of the 5k course.
“Our plan was to go out together and push each other to run faster,” said Wilkes, who is back after missing his junior season with an injury. “Last year, I did a lot of cross training to get back to where I was and I’ve made a really big jump over the past year. It feels really good to be back.”
With the victory, the Tide boys wrap up an undefeated regular season against New Hampshire schools, with its only defeat coming against Champlain Valley, Vt., in the 55-team Thetford Invitational.
“It feels really good to finally have some success as a team,” Wilkes said. “We’ve struggled at some of the bigger races in the past, but we’re coming together as a team and running well together. The consistency (in training) is what’s helped us a lot.”
Mackenzie added, “the team camaraderie that we have is unbelievable. You just want to be out there (training). We want to be the best team around, but the process is what we really love.”
Tide Coach Tristan Black-Ingersoll, now in his fourth year at the helm of the program, said, “Our top (four) runners posted top 10 all-time finishes on this course. That’s a big indicator (of our strengths). This is confirmation that what we’ve been doing in practice and in training is the right thing. This is the closest spread we’ve had between our top five guys all year. That’s a good sign (heading into the state meet). We always think of this meet as a jump off point for the postseason.”
The Kearsarge boys, the defending D-III champions, were a distant second with 78 points. Mason Benedict (10th, 17:12), Aidan Brooks (13th, 17:18) and Andrew Shepherd (16th, 17:38) were Kearsarge’s top runners.
St. Paul’s (third, 112), Prospect Mountain (fourth, 171), Belmont (fifth,1 89), MV (sixth, 193), Inter-Lakes (seventh, 197), Bow (eighth, 206), John Stark (ninth, 229), Hopkinton (10th, 235), Pembroke (11th, 246), Gilford (12th, 250), Winnisquam (13th, 325) and Bishop Brady (14th, 426) rounded out the team scores.
Individually, MV’s David Reynolds (fifth, 16:58), Hopkinton’s Simon Doneski (eighth, 17:11) and Ian Daly of Inter-Lakes (ninth, 17:11) finished in the top 10 with Belmont’s Nick Randos (15th), Winnisquam’s Kyle Mann (20th), John Stark’s Brandon Langdon (21st), Bow’s Robert Ciotti (23rd), Gilford’s Mark Young (28th) were other top finishers for local squads.
Like the boys, the title for the Tide girls was also a testament to their improvements and depth.
Jennika Mannesto (second, 19:52), Cassie Shea (fifth, 20:28), Gabby Czerula (sixth, 20:28), Molly Bragg (eighth, 21:03), Serena Britos (15th, 21:55) and Maggie Prentice (28th, 22:40) rounded out Concord’s runners.
“I’m really proud of my girls and all the progress they have made this season. They had a lot of (personal records) today and had breakthrough races. I’m excited to see them continue to make that kind of progress (next weekend at States),” Concord Coach Ally Davis said. “(Jennika) is always very consistent and a great leader for the girls to look up to. She had a great race.”
Davis added that Britos, a freshman, and Prentice, a senior, were among those with breakout performances.
Britos and Prentice “started running in the 24s (at the beginning of the season). Now they’re running in the 21s and 22s … things just fell together for them,” Davis said.
Schoffield’s three-peat led hosts MV to a runner-up finish. Concord’s score of 36 topped the Pride’s score of 51.
Schoffield had a three- or four-second lead over Mannesto and Shea after the first mile and ended up winning by 27 seconds, opening a gap on her competitors halfway through the second mile of the race.
“I wanted to run the first mile really smooth and try to open up after that,” Schoffield said.
Schoffield’s third win in a row makes her one of only three runners to ever have a three-peat at the event. The other two are Concord’s Rachel Umberger (1999-2001) and Olympic marathoner Guor Marial (2002-04).
Schoffield added that she was pleased to be in that category with Marial, who competed in the Rio Olympics.
Lauren Rouse (seventh, 21:02), Noelle Colarusso (13th, 21:30), Emma York (14th, 21:51) and Tristan Beyer (16th, 21:55) were the other scorers for the Pride.
Kearsarge (third, 116), Hopkinton (fourth, 133), Bow (fifth, 140), Belmont (sixth, 184), Pembroke (seventh, 204), Inter-Lakes (eighth, 204), Gilford (ninth, 208) and Bishop Brady (12th, 282) rounded out the other team scores.
Other top local finishers included the Tilton School’s Maddie Clark (third, 20:05), Belmont’s Alice Riley (fourth, 20:05), Hopkinton’s Sydney Stockwell (ninth, 21:16) and Inter-Lakes’ Maya Weil-Cooley (10th, 21:18).
No. 6 Kingswood 3, No. 11 MV 0
Highlights/key moments: The Pride ended its season with a loss to the Knights in the first round of the playoffs. The Knights scored all of their goals in the first half.
Coach’s quote: “We were hoping for a better ending today, but Kingswood came out strong and never let down.” – MV’s Kim Kenney
Records: Kingswood 10-4-1; MV 9-5-1
John Stark 5, Trinity 0
Key players: John Stark – Isaiah Lovering (2 goals), Even Nelson (assist), Ryan Nelson (good overall game), Chase Patterson (shutout), Tim Currier (defense), Tyler Restuccia (defense), Kayden Easter (defense), Johan French (defense)
Highlights/key moments: It took 31 minutes for the Generals to score their first goal but they were able to pour it on from there. Lovering scored both of his goals in the first half, one off a corner kick and the other on a penalty kick. Patterson made a tremendous save in the final minutes to preserve the shutout.
Coach’s quote: “It took us a while to adjust to the small field and aggressive play of Trinity. Eventually, we took control of the game and got the win. This team has committed to defending as a group and it has paid off with 11 shutouts this season.” – Stark’s Jeff Vogt
Records: Stark 11-5; Trinity 4-10-2
Merrimack Valley 6, Kennett 3
Key players: MV – James Shattuck (2 goals, assist), Chase Mercier (2 assists), Isaiah Shedd (2 goals), Pedro Godoi (goal), Jared Sylvester (goal)
Highlights/key moments: Merrimack Valley overcame a 3-1 deficit, tying the game before halftime, and then controlled the second half with solid possession. The Pride close out the regular season on a two-game win streak.
Coach’s quote: “Today was a game that showed how we could have played throughout the season. … It was a great way to send our seniors off; James Shattuck, Ben Davis, Caleb Willett and Chase Mercier.” – MV’s Ken Fuller
Records: MV 3-11-2; Kennett 4-11-1
Pittsfield 5, Farmington 0
Key players: Pittsfield – Cam Darrah (3 goals), Casey Clark (goal, assist), Matt St. George (2 assists)
Highlights/key moments: Clark opened the scoring with ninth minute and Darrah scored in the 18th to give the Panthers a 2-0 halftime lead. Johnson (42nd) and Darrah (57th and 63rd) scored in the second half.
Coach’s quote: “We’ve been a much more efficient team in the attacking third. We are finishing our opportunities and playing with a high level of confidence.” – Pittsfield’s Derek Hamilton
Records: Pittsfield 9-5-2; Farmington 1-15-0
Concord 5, Spaulding 1
Key players: Concord – Taylor Silverstein (2 goals), Gopal Timsina (2 goals), Chea Chebo (goal), Brian DeFranzo (4 saves), Ethan Dupre (defense), Adam Bryant (midfield), Sebastian Pardo (midfield)
Highlights/key moments: The Tide outshot the Red Raiders, 23-5, to end the regular season with a decisive win
Coach’s quote: “I’m very excited with how we ended the season. We will be either the No. 4 or No. 5 seed heading into the tournament.” – Concord’s
Records: Concord 12-3-1; Spaulding 1-14-1
Kearsarge 2, Manchester West 1
Key players: Kearsarge – Mike Geary (goal) , Bo Underhill (goal), Elijah Westerberg (assist), Brad Underhill (assist)
Highlights/key moments: Geary scored the game’s opening goal in the second half off a cross from Westerberg and Underhill broke a 1-1 tie with seven minutes left in the match.
Coach’s quote: “It was great to end our season with a win, especially on senior night with nine players finishing up their high school careers. The boys showed a lot of heart this season and deserved to get this final win.” – Kearsarge’s Matt Burch
Records: Kearsarge 3-10-3; West 7-8-1
Pittsfield 8, Farmington 0
Key players: Pittsfield – Lindsey Massey (2 goals, 2 assists), Alyssa Sullivan (goal, assist), Katie Rollins (goal), Brie Hill (goal), Savannah Godin (goal), Tori Lee (goal), Bryana Morris (goal)
Highlights/key moments: All four seniors scored in their final home game, while Lee and Morris tallied their first varsity goals and Becca Smith made two saves.
Coach’s quote: “I’m happy for the seniors on the team to finish with a win on their home field.” – Pittsfield’s Jayme Kennedy
Records: Pittsfield 7-8-1; Farmington 0-16
Concord 4, Spaulding 0
Key players: Concord – Grace Devanny (2 goals, assist), Ellie Pope (goal, assist), Caitlin Klose (goal), Jessica Nelson (assist), Camille Girard (assist)
Highlights/key moments: The Tide close out the regular season with wins in five of the last six games.
Records: Concord 11-5; Spaulding 4-9-3
Bishop Brady 1, Monadnock 1
Highlights/key moments: The Giants ended the regular season with a hard fought double overtime tie to the Huskies on Wednesday.
Coach’s quote: “The girls played with a lot of heart and resiliency. They gave 100 percent from start to finish and we have nothing to hang our heads about. It was a hard fought game and both teams had chances to win the game late. It was a good way to end the regular season and now our fingers are crossed in hopes to get into the tournament.” – Bishop Brady’s Andrew Mattarazzo
Records: Bishop Brady 5-9-2; Monadnock 3-11-1
MV 9, Kennett 1
Key players: MV – Emily Knouse (3 goals, assist), Kaliana Palhof (2 goals), Abby Grandmaison (goal, 2 assists), Isabelle Carr (goal), Asia Hazeltine (goal), Ashley Daniels (goal), Kylie Marquis (assist), Sarah Davis (assist), Hanah Corliss (assist)
Highlights/key moments: The Pride controlled the game en route to a decisive victory over the Eagles.
Coach’s quote: “It was good to finish the season on a high note. The team worked well together today, but we will miss our seniors.” – MV’s Jeff Richard
Records: MV 5-10-1; Kennett 2-13-1
Pembroke 1, Souhegan 1
Key players: Pembroke – Kayla Paquin (goal), Vicky Mudgett (key second half saves), Casey Bardier (midfield), Delanie St. Laurent (midfield)
Highlights/key moments: The Spartans put in a fantastic effort on senior night, controlling possession for most of the match before it was suspended in overtime due to darkness.
Coach’s quote: “The girls are playing postseason soccer with their effort and determination. I couldn’t ask for more at this point.” – Pembroke’s Jess Croft
Records: Pembroke 8-7-1; Souhegan 7-6-3