Concord’s Tyler Watt competed regionally and nationally last season, so it stands to reason that he’d be one of the best in the state. On Saturday, Watt, a junior, showed he still is in top form, topping the field of over 160 competitors to win the New Hampshire Nordic Coaches Series classic race at Waterville Valley.

Watt won the 5K mass start race in 14 minutes, 9.2 seconds, edging Belmont senior William Riley (14:10.9).

Ford Sayre Ski Club’s Lea Perreard topped the girls’ field in 16:51.5, while Plymouth’s Addi Englund (fourth, 17:01) was the top finisher from a public school.

The Coaches Series – a two-part event that combines the scores of a classic and skate race – features both public and private schools from across the state to determine a true state champion, and so far Hopkinton is near the top of the list at second on the girls’ side and third on the boys’.

Gilford (39 points), Dublin School (73), Hopkinton (104), Concord (115), Fall Mountain (122), Lebanon (132) and Kearsarge (151) are the top eight boys’ teams, with Bow (219) and Belmont (488) sitting in 11th and 21st, respectively, out of 25 teams.

The Hopkinton girls (33) are just 11 points out of first place behind Plymouth (22).

Lebanon (82), Holderness (94), Hanover (116), Gilford (132), Keene (132), Kennett (134), Concord (148) and Kearsarge (258) round out the top 10, with Bow (342) currently in 14th out of 24.

It’s an impressive start for the Hawks given that Hopkinton only had its first race a week ago, a small four-team race at Center Sandwich that was added to the calendar after the Hawks’ first three originally scheduled races got canceled. 

“Both teams are on track for the season, despite the challenges we have had with the weather and conditions,” Hopkinton head coach Rob Rothe said. To think we are mid-season and this is only our second race is crazy, but both the boys and girls have really shown a strong ‘start’ to the season. This is entirely due to their commitment to the sport and hard work ethic that has become a culture for this team. Early morning skis up Pats Peak and weight room sessions at 6 a.m. during the school week is a hard sell, but this crew shows up and does the work to make things happen. They work hard and have fun doing it.”

Elizabeth Clarner (10th, 17:58), Hannah Bennett (12th, 18:04), Ava Rothe (13th, 18:10) and Elizabeth Trafton (14th, 18:17) gave the Hawks a tight scoring pack near the front, while Bow’s Rachel Pelletier (15th, 18:25), Hopkinton’s Clara Locke (19th, 18:50) and Isabel Afflerbach (36th, 20:42), and Concord’s Frances Lesser (33rd, 20:32) and Chloe Gudas (43rd, 21:03) all finished inside the top 50 out of 165 finishers.

Kylie Labelle (64th, 22:56) was Kearsarge’s top skier while Gracie McHugh (52nd, 21:27) and Phoebe Dater-Roberts (56th, 21:43) rounded out the scoring for Concord.

On the boys’ side, Matt Clarner (12th, 15:38), Will Chapin (33rd, 16:58), Conrad Mollano (42nd, 17:43), Cameron Bassett (43rd, 17:48) and Harrison Wilson (44th, 17:51) were Hopkinton’s top finishers, 

Elias Baer (18th, 16:04), Gareth Richer (34th, 17:08), Andrew Blagden (45th, 17:51) and Cam Dezotell (80th, 19:59) scored for Kearsarge and Dean Ayotte (21st, 16:23), Jacob Gurtner (56th, 18:21) and Elliott Pollard (57th, 18:22) scored for Concord.

Bow was led by Eli Wilkening (47th, 17:53) and Calen Smith (49th, 17:57).

Race 2, the skate race, is slated for Feb. 11 at White Mountains Regional High School.

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