Coe-Brown
Division: II
Coaches: Brent Tkaczyk (19th year), Tim Cox (18th year)
Last year: Boys: D-II champion; Girls: D-II runner-up
Top Returners: Boys: Evan Tanguay, sr.; Gabe Deely, jr.; Aidan Ahern, jr.; Gavyn Lewis, jr.; Jacob Spainhower, sr.
Girls: Eleanor McDonough, sr.; Sarah Dupuis, sr.; Autumn Graham, jr.; Sydney Carney, sr.; Abby O’Connor, so.
Top newcomers: Boys: Wyatt Mackey, fr.; Logan Mihelich, fr.; Luke Tkazyck, fr.; Porter Heigis, fr.
Girls: Addison Cox, fr.
Outlook: Boys: After losing five of last year’s top seven to graduation, the team is rebuilding and several varsity spots are up for grabs. Tanguay (sixth in D-II last year) and Deely are the two returning varsity runners. “We are looking for contributions from our freshmen and JV runners,” Coach Tkaczyk said. “The staff is excited by the new energy on the team.”
Girls: The Bears return five of seven athletes from last year’s runner-up team and this year’s squad, “has a nice balance of experience and new talent,” according to Coach Cox. “They will be strong up front, with overall success depending on the total team effort and how well they gel.”
Teams to beat: Boys: Oyster River, Pelham, Hanover; Girls: Souhegan, Hanover, Oyster River
Division: II
Coaches: Patrick Scott (4th year), Christine Anderson (2nd year)
Last year: Boys: 19th; Girls: 15th
Top returners: Boys: Brandon Langdon, jr.; Erik Hilyard, jr.; Jack Hagan, so.; Marcus McFall, jr.; Jack McCallum, sr.; Owen Payeur, jr.
Girls: Haleigh Bilodeau, jr.; Katelyn Brennan, jr.; Hailey Erskine, jr.; Anna Ishak, jr.
Top newcomers: Boys: Matt Abbott, so.; Reece Montague, fr.
Girls: Madison McDonald, fr.; Jill Douzanis, sr.
Outlook: Both the boys’ and girls’ teams return the majority of last year’s state meet lineup and have strong junior classes with three years of training under their belts. With another year of experience, both teams are poised to significantly improve on last year’s results. The girls have especially strong newcomers in Douzanis and McDonald.
Teams to beat: Boys: Oyster, River, Hollis/Brookline, Hanover, Pelham; Girls: Coe-Brown, Souhegan, Merrimack Valley
Division: II
Coach: Dave Irving (15th year)
Last year: Boys: 15th; Girls: 6th
Top returners: Boys: David Reynolds, jr.; Matt Reynolds, jr.; Matt Lyle, sr.; Connor Butt, jr.
Girls: Lauren Rouse, sr.; Emma York, so.; Noelle Colarusso, sso.; Tristan Beyer, jr.; Kaitlyn Covell, sr.
Top newcomers: Boys: Ryan Kelly, sr.; Ethan Dodenhoff, fr.; Andrew Owens, jr.; Christian Oglesby, so.
Girls: Madisyn Garrity, so.
Outlook: Boys: The Pride return three of last year’s top four, so Coach Irving believes that up front MV can compete with most teams in D-II. Both Reynolds and Lyle are looking for top 25 individual finishes in D-II. “The big question is who will fill in the fourth and fifth places,” Coach Irving said. “The team has decent depth, so with time, some runners should develop.”
Girls: The Pride lost its top runner Kristie Schoffield (fifth in D-II in 2016) to graduation, but return its next five best runners. Without a standout leading runner, the Pride will have to rely on a strong pack-running strategy to be competitive. “We will need a couple runners to improve,” Coach Irving said. “Maizie Thurber-Wells (junior) has shown improvement after a good summer of running, and newcomer (Garrity) is showing promise as well.”
Teams to beat: Boys: Oyster River, Coe-Brown, Hollis/Brookline, Pelham; Girls: Souhegan, Coe-Brown, Hanover, Oyster River, Portsmouth
Division: II
Coach: Mike Slavin (11th year)
Last year: Boys: 18th; Girls: 18th
Top returners: Boys: Ryan Burns, sr.; Josh Crandall, sr.; Mihir Khadka, sr.; Ben Prescott, sr.; Erik Rasmussen, sr.; Markos Starz, sr.; Jack Thomas, sr.; Shawn Tremblay, so.
Girls: Stephanie Berube, sr.; Jonatha Decker, sr.; Avery Gamache, jr.; Natasha Jordan, jr.; Amanda Montminy, so.; Haley Royce, jr.; Julia Valotto, sr.
Top newcomers: Boys: Andrew Chase, jr.; Alex Chiavaras, fr.; Oscar Gamache, fr.; Jack Harkness, fr.; Cam Virgin, sr.
Girls: Emily Pelleschi, fr.
Outlook: “I’m hoping our experienced boys’ team can take it up a notch and vastly improve our 18th position,” Slavin said. “Our girls’ team is very small, but they are a dedicated group, that, if we can stay healthy, should improve as well.”
Teams to beat: Boys: Coe Brown, Oyster River, Kennett, Pelham; Girls: Souhegan, Coe Brown, Oyster River, Hanover
Division: III
Coach: Aaron Hayward (11th year)
Last year: Boys: 8th; Girls: 10th
Top returners: Boys: Ian Remenar, sr.; Nick Randos, sr.; Aidan Rupp, jr.; Connor Jackson, sr.
Girls: Alice Riley, jr.; Alexus Day, sr.; Makayla Palmer, jr.
Outlook: Boys: The Raiders return four of last year’s top five runners, including Remenar (11th in D-III last year) and Randos (20th), who qualified for the Meet of Champions. Rupp and Jackson are improving quickly and should comprise the rest of the top four. The remaining three slots are up for grabs and Belmont has a strong freshman class that might round out the varsity roster. “They should certainly be a top-five team,” Hayward said. “With (good) health we should push for a top-three finish. Our depth at the top of each team is the challenge, as with most schools in D-III. We have a lot of potential.”
Girls: Riley, last year’s D-III champion, is not only looking to defend her title, but also earn a spot at New Englands, which she only missed by a handful of spots last year. Day (25th in D-III) and Palmer (33rd) also return from last year and they now have a slew of support. The roster size of 12 girls is larger than it has been for the Raiders in recent years and should make them more competitive. “My hope with continued progress and health is that we could challenge for a top-two finish,” Hayward said. “We should certainly be a top-five team.”
Division: III
Coach: Bill Heath (16th year)
Last year: Boys: DNS; Girls: 18th
Top returners: Boys: Oscar Miller, so.; Zachary Faretra, sr.
Girls: Anna Grafton, sr.; Kamryn Compton, sr.
Top newcomers: Boys: Will Scrivens, sr.
Girls: Muging Weng, so.
Outlook: The Giants have low roster numbers which will hurt them in team competitions, but both teams return runners with experience that could have strong individual results.
Division: III
Coaches: Boys: Katie McDonald (2nd year); Girls: Barb Higgins (4th year)
Last year: Boys: 9th; Girls: 6th
Top returners: Boys: Sam Berube, so.; Calvin Carey, jr.; Kirpal Demian, jr.; Gabe Neff, so.; Caleb Olson, jr.; Sam Selleck, sr.; Garrison White, jr.; Colin Lessard, so.
Girls: Sarah Ciotti, jr.; Libby Parker, jr.; Grace Maurer, jr.; Emma Conley, jr.
Top newcomers: Boys: Ben Neff, fr,; Mason Grasso, jr.; Neeraj Naik, jr.; Finn Welch, fr.; Ethan White, fr.; Zachary Mullen, jr.; Aiden Hyslop, jr.
Girls: Inez Tarek, sr.; Sofia Darrell, jr.
Outlook: Boys: The Falcons graduated strong runners from last season, but a robust junior class and plenty of talented newcomers should make for a competitive team.
Girls: The Falcons graduated three of last year’s top seven, but have a strong junior class returning that includes Ciotti (17th in D-III last year), who qualified for MOC.
Teams to beat: Boys: Kearsarge, Monadnock, Derryfield
Division: III
Coach: Janine Powis (2nd year)
Last year: Boys: 12th; Girls: 12th
Top returners: Boys: Michael Wernig, sr.; Jacob Malburne, sr.; Matthew McDonough, jr; Ryan Hamel, so.; Edward Demers, so.
Girls: Madison Relf, sr.; Elizabeth Relf, sr.; Chloe Schwartz, so.
Top newcomers: Boys: Beck McLean, sr.; Charles Townsend, fr.; Harrison Laflamme, fr.
Girls: Bethany Tanner, fr.; Lydia Jordan, fr.; Alaina Osburn, fr.
Outlook: “We are a very young team,” Powis said, “but it gives a chance for the juniors and seniors to step up and be leaders and good role models to the young and new athletes. They are a dedicated group that I believe will surprise some teams this season.”
Division: III
Coach: Steve Cousens (1st year)
Last year: Boys: DNS; Girls: DNS
Top returners: Boys: Kyle Bergstresser, jr.; Bryce Bush, sr.; Ethan Blevins, sr.; Zachary Camp, jr.; Kyle Merrill, sr.
Girls: Elizabeth LaBier, fr.; Ruthie Robinson, sr.
Top newcomers: Boys: Reagan Parisi, fr.; Justin Valencia, fr.; Joe Peppin, jr.; Ken Veitch, fr.; Jason Carter, sr.; Adriaen Thibeault, sr.; Skyler Smith, fr.; Tucker Sheehan, jr.; Nathan Ledvina, fr.
Girls: Emma Curley, fr.; Alannah Johnson, so.
Outlook: Boys: Camp, Merrill and newcomer Thibeault look like they will form the Hillcats’ top three, but the remaining spots are up for grabs. The performance of the runners who fill those spots will go a long way in determining just how competitive the boys’ team is. “Overall the team has a great mix of upperclass leadership and energetic freshmen and sophomores hoping to contribute, if not immediately, by at least the end of the season,” Cousens said.
Girls: With only four runners on the roster, the Hillcats will need some more athletes to join in order to field a full, competitive team. However, H-D has strong athletes and leaders in LaBier and Robinson, who will set the tone for the team. “With a positive attitude and lots of hard work, we’re looking to have decent results,” Cousens said.
Teams to beat: “Every team we compete against will be regarded as a top team,” Cousens said.
Division: III
Coach: Rob Rothe (2nd year)
Last year: Boys: 10th; Girls: 8th
Top returners: Boys: Simon Doneski, sr.; Joe Sawitsky, jr.; Shepyrd Murdough, so.
Girls: Emma Rothe, so.; Sydney Stockwell, so.; Lily Sabol, so.
Top newcomers: Boys: Joe Tierney, fr.; Theodore Mollano, fr.; Nick Simpkins, fr.; Hayden Lynch, fr.
Girls: Lilia Klingler, fr.; Addison Locke, fr.; Cate Westbrook, fr.
Outlook: Boys: The Hawks graduated most of their varsity runners from last year, but return Doneski, the defending D-III runner-up and top returner in the division. With the addition of several strong freshmen, including Tierney (ninth at last year’s middle school state championship), Hopkinton is looking to build depth for the future. How well the Hawks fare this season depends on how quickly this new talent can develop.
Girls: The Hawks are very young, but return last year’s top three in Rothe (fourth in D-III), Stockwell (seventh) and Sabol (28th), who all ran extremely well as freshmen. Hopkinton also adds three freshmen who ran on last year’s middle school championship team and add desperately needed depth. With another year of experience and much more depth, the Hawks could challenge the top teams in the division.
Teams to beat: Boys: Kearsarge, Mascenic; Girls: Monadnock, Campbell
Division: III
Coach: Steve Olafsen (5th year)
Last year: Boys: 11th; Girls: 11th
Top returners: Boys: Parker Caswell, sr.; Ian Daly, sr.; Davis Jollimore, sr.; Alex Losada, sr.; Eli Marietta, sr.; Steven Bean, so.
Girls: Juliette Bean, sr.; Kaitlin Gable, sr,; Emma O’Hearn, sr.; Willow Strother, jr.; Maya Weil-Cooley, so.
Outlook: The boys team returns six of last year’s top seven and is in a good position to improve on last year’s finish. The girls team will struggle to consistently field a full team with only five athletes on the roster, but all of them are returners.
Teams to beat: Mascenic, Monadnock
Division: III
Coaches: Peter Angus and Ernie Brake (15th year)
Last year: Boys: D-III runner-up; Girls: 4th
Top returners: Boys: Hunter Burns, sr.; Mason Benedicts, sr.; Aidan Brooks, sr.; Trevor Pauling, jr.; Tom Lick, jr.; John Cunningham, sr.
Girls: Mya Dubie, so.; Jenna Bears, so.; Hayden Keene, sr.; Cerys Wheatley, sr.
Top newcomers: Boys: Ben Bolton, jr.; Eddie Stowell, so.; Aidan Kellogg, jr.
Outlook: Boys: The Cougars return four seniors that ran on last year’s runner-up team, and, with another summer of hard work, “we feel like we have the pieces in place to be very successful,” Angus said. The coach is justified in saying this, given that the Cougars won the 21-team Gilford Early Bird Invitational last week, “but it is a long season and we need to stay focused.”
Girls: The Cougars are young and it will take some time for them to develop, but they are eager for the work ahead. Dubie (16th in D-III last year) had a breakout track season, won the Gilford Early Bird Invitational in a 21-team meet and is ready to show the rest of the division what she has.
Teams to beat: Boys: Mascenic, Belmont; Girls: Bow, Hopkinton
Division: III
Coach: Timothy Lindberg (1st year)
Last year: Boys: 15th; Girls: 17th
Top returners: Boys: Joshua Chandler, sr.; Dan Engelsen, sr.; Joey Lennon, jr.; Noah Mousseau, so.; Eric Phelps, so.
Girls: Delia Cormier, sr.; Danielle Friend, sr.
Top newcomers: Boys: Joseph Bailey, fr.; Ben Cone, fr.; Bryan Patten, fr.
Outlook: The Sachem boys return five of the six runners that competed at the state meet last year. The girls won’t be able to field a team with only two runners, but Cormier qualified individually for MOC last year.
Division: III
Coaches: Mike LaPlume (3rd year), Charlie Therriault (2nd year), Amy Yeakel (1st year)
Last year: Boys: 22nd; Girls: DNS
Top returners: Boys: Kyle Rosendahl, so.
Girls: Amy Combs, so.
Top newcomers: Boys: Hunter Colman, fr.
Girls: Manon De Greef, fr.
Outlook: The Bears have been plagued with low numbers and inconsistency, but are still looking to get some good strong individual results and rebuild the program.
Division: III
Coach: Feliccia Chirgwin (1st year)
Last year: Boys: 16th; Girls: 21st
Top returners: Boys: Kyle Mann, jr.; Caleb Valtz-Thomas, sr.; Jonathan Swain, sr.; Jack Richard, so.; Brennan Dunn, so.
Girls: Hannah Swain, so.; Jasmine Piper, jr.
Top newcomers: Boys: Dylan Robert, fr.; Riley Mann, fr.; Joshua Hanson, fr.; Alan Maxwell, fr.; Evan Griffin, fr.
Girls: Faith Gosselin, fr.; Elisa Drion, sr.
Outlook: Chirgwin is moving up to the high school after coaching at the middle school for the last three seasons, and she’s bringing some talented freshmen with her. Although this is a rebuilding year, “we expect to be competitive,” Chirgwin said. The boys finished sixth at the Gilford Early Bird Invitational with Kyle Mann taking third in a field of over 200 runners and freshmen making up the rest of the Bears’ top five. Freshman Gosselin was 15th out of 174 runners.