There were some unusual results in Wednesday’s Capital Area Nordic race, but that’s to be expected during warm weather ski racing. What’s also expected, and not unusual, was a pair of convincing wins for Concord.
The Crimson Tide boys’ team placed five in the top six at the Hopkinton Fairgrounds, including overall winner Nate Nichols, to finish with 392 points, well ahead of second-place Bedford (365). Things were closer for Concord’s girls, but only a little, as the Tide finished with 377 to Bedford’s 357.
Both of Concord’s teams have won eight straight Division I titles, and it looks like the Tide is ready to make it nine straight at the D-I championships on March 6.
“I think we’re in pretty good shape,” Concord Coach Sam Evans-Brown said.
The D-III Bow boys (354) and girls (354) both took third on Wednesday. D-IV Hopkinton was fourth on the boys’ side with 342 points and fifth on the girls’ side with 341.
The most unusual results came atop the girls’ podium. That’s where Concord’s Heather Deacon and Jess Nelson normally stand, but not on Wednesday. Instead, Bedford’s Abigail Vikstrom was the fastest girl on the 5K course in 15:22.6, and Bishop Guertin’s Caroline Fischer took second in 15:50.3. Deacon finished third (15:55.1) and Nelson wound up fourth (16:02.3).
“I could tell (Nelson) was a little disappointed,” Evans-Brown said. “She’s a super positive kid, she’s a trooper, but she seemed surprised. (Vikstrom) started a wave behind her, she started 30 seconds behind, and caught her and past her, and Jess isn’t used to that. She isn’t used to people passing her in these races. I could tell she wasn’t psyched about it.”
The Tide also isn’t used to having Dasha Savelieva as its third finisher, but that’s what happened as Savelieva was ninth overall.
“That’s by far her best result,” Evans-Brown said. “When it’s really, really warm like this you have people perform well and it’s hard to know exactly what to attribute it to, but she had a great race.”
Brenna McNamara was Concord’s fourth scorer and 11th overall with teammate Cassie Shea right behind her in 12th.
The top of the boys’ standings were also a bit atypical. Jamie Wilkes had finished first in eight of Concord’s previous nine races, but he had to settle for second behind Nichols, who claimed his second win of the season. The margin was considerable, too, as Nichols came in at 14:33.4 and Wilkes at 14:50.0, just ahead of Bedford’s Michael Giraldi (14:52.2).
“Nate has been nipping at Jamie’s heels all season, and he’s beaten him one other time, so it was a little unusual today, but ski racing is kind of like that,” Evans-Brown said. “There’s a lot of variables. People ski differently in different conditions and people’s skis work differently in different conditions, so it’s hard to say what happened exactly, but that’s ski racing.”
Concord’s other top skiers were Antonino Tomas (fourth, 14:52.9), Alex Duncan (14:59.6) and Cameron Brochu (sixth, 15:00.3).
“(Tomas) qualified for the Eastern High School championships for the first time, so he’s having a great end of season,” Evans-Brown said. “He’s really coming into form.”
The top finisher for the Bow boys’ team was Sully Blair, who was ninth overall. The Falcons other points arrived in a pack – Robert Ciotti (16th), Demian Kirpal (18th) and Samuel Neff (19th).
The Hopkinton boys were led by Simon Doneski’s seventh-place finish. Zach Berliner (15th), Joe Spalding (21st) and Justin Durant (47th) also scored for the Hawks.
Sohani Demian (10th) was the top finisher for the Bow girls’ team, followed by Brianna Boone (13th), Isabella Urbina (14th) and Gwen Molind (18th). Emma Rothe had a great day for the Hopkinton girls’ team, finishing fifth overall. The Hawks also got points from Carley Kanter (15th), Lillian Eckberg (20th) and Elaine Spalding (50th).
Pembroke 59, Bishop Brady 57
Key players: Pembroke – Sean Menard (20 points), Jake Sherman (18 points), Brandon Linscott (defense). Bishop Brady – Matt Quirk (24 points), Bryce Johnson (15 points), Matt Desmarais (6 points, 12 rebounds).
Highlights/key moments: Jack Lehoullier blocked a Bishop Brady shot as time expired to clinch the victory and snap a two-game skid for Pembroke.
Coach’s quote: “Brady is a gritty team and extremely well coached. We will enjoy this tonight and start getting ready for Friday’s tough matchup against MV.” – Pembroke’s Shannon Sciria
Records: Pembroke 6-8; Bishop Brady 9-6
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
No. 2 Colebrook 54,
No. 15 Concord Christian
Key players: Concord Christian – Jade Bell (18 points), Becca Johnson (12 points, 7 steals), Jasmine Bell (6 points, 9 rebounds)
Highlights/key moments: On Tuesday, the Lady Kingsmen made the long trip to Colebrook for a first round playoff game and nearly pulled off the upset. Jade Bell got hot in the third quarter, knocking down three 3-pointers to give Concord Christian a one-point lead. But foul trouble hindered the Lady Kingsmen in the fourth quarter and they couldn’t complete the shocker.
Coach’s quote: “I am so proud of my team. They left everything on the court and played one of their best games this year, we just ran out of gas and came up short.” – Concord Christian’s Shelby Purtell
Records: Concord Christian (9-11); Colebrook 17-2
Bow 41, Kingswood 39
Key players: Bow – Lea Crompton (14 points), Patty Nordin (9 points), Taylor Darrell (game-winning shot).
Highlights/key moments: Just two days after the Falcons suffered a disappointing two-point loss to Hollis-Brookline, Darrell converted a big bucket late in regulation to seal the victory.
Records: Bow 11-6; Kingswood 11-5
BOYS’ HOCKEY
Hanover 3, Concord 1
Key players: Concord – Alex Marceau (goal), Ethan Donlon (assist), Dan Lebell (assist), Spencer Burgess (25 saves)
Highlights/key moments: Marceau scored in the first and the Crimson Tide held that lead until the third, when the Marauders scored two goals three minutes apart. Hanover added an empty-netter in the last minute.
Coach’s quote: “Hanover seemed to get to loose pucks and win the battles. We need to regroup for Bishop Guertin on Saturday.” – Concord’s Dunc Walsh
Records: Concord 14-3-0; Hanover 11-5-0
Monadnock 4,
Kearsarge-Plymouth 3, OT
Key players: Kearsarge-Plymouth – Cody Rowe (goalie), Adam Means (goal), Tony Velez (goal), Gordie Hoyt (goal)
Highlights/key moments: The game was tied at 2-2 after one, and Hoyt forced overtime with his equalizer at 8:21 of the third, but the Huskies scored just 10 seconds into overtime to claim the road win.
Coach’s quote: “Cody (Rowe) played a heck of a game in net tonight, but we just couldn’t get over the hump and get the win for him. Monadnock is a well coached team and they came ready to play tonight.” – Kearsarge-Plymouth’s David McKenney
Records: Kearsarge-Plymouth 7-10; Monadnock 7-9