Wiser Dominates Girls Race; La Salle Boys Beat Bishop Hendricken

By Mary Albl of DyeStat 

MANCHESTER, NH -- Undefeated this entire season, Pomperaug CT's Kate Wiser stood to finally face a challenge on Saturday at the New England High School Cross Country Championships. Instead, the biggest obstacle for the sophomore proved to be the conditions -- an element she tackled with ease.

Running on a soft, muddy, and wet 5,000-meter course at Derryfield Park in Manchester, N.H., Wiser ran away from the competition to win her first New England title in 18 minutes and 4.1 seconds. 

"Once I saw it (the course) walking around, I knew I wasn't going to go for a great time," Wiser said. "It was just so muddy in spots, I was sinking in. It was pretty bad." 

As bad as the conditions were, close to 40 degrees and a consistent wind, Wiser won the race by more than 30 seconds. Runner-up honors went to freshman Sophia Reynolds of Merrimack Valley NH in 18:42.4. 

This was the second time this season Wiser raced this course, as she won the Manchester Invitational in September. 

"Knowing the two hills that were there, and the spots I could go faster, that was nice to know," Wiser said. 

In the team race, it was all Champlain Valley VT. Led by sophomore Alice Larson's fifth-place finish (18:53.8), Champlain Valley scored 75 points to win the team title. Second place went to La Salle Academy RI with 128 points. 

"Our plan was to do the best we could, even if the conditions weren't ideal and to stay consistent and pass a lot of people if we can, especially if we're in a big pack," Larson said. 

For Champlain Valley the next stop will be the Nike Cross Northeast Regionals in a two weeks. Larson said being from Vermont prepared her for today’s race. 

“It was actually worse (in Vermont), so it wasn't that bad today," Larson said. 

The boys team race was a battle of elite Rhode Island teams. A week ago, Bishop Hendricken got the better of La Salle Academy at the state meet. Saturday, it was the Rams' turn. Paced by sophomore Jack McLoughlin's third-place finish (16:02.1), La Salle placed four runners in the top 15 to score an impressive 49 points and win the title. Bishop Hendricken finished second (80 points) and Xavier CT was third (111 points). 

"Definitely we thought we had a chance," McLoughlin said. "We knew it wasn't going to be easy. Confidence was something we really focused on the last week. Last week we came in second ... coming away with the victory today is actually a big confidence booster for us going forward." 

Hall CT senior Trey Cormier didn't win his conference or state meet, but he executed a perfect race plan as he won the New England boys title in 15:56.6. 

"I just pushed with everything I had," he said. "Ran smart, ran through the mud, ran safe. I ran through the mud, my feet are soaked. I'm muddy, but I'm still happy." 

Second place went to freshman Gavin Sherry of Conard CT in 15:57.3.