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Stoneham’s Ali Simeone, Reading’s Lauren Almeida, North Reading’s Kristen Moulton. |
Globe North Sports Notebook
Amherst trio boosts cross-country hopes
The Amherst College women’s cross-country team has made six consecutive trips to the NCAA Division 3 championships. To make it seven straight, coach Ned Nedeau admits he will need a big boost from his freshmen.
Three first-year runners - Ali Simeone of Stoneham, Kristen Moulton of North Reading, and Lauren Almeida of Reading - are giving Nedeau reason to be optimistic. None of them have flashed blazing speed yet, but the improvement each showed from the first meet to the second has left an impression.
In their collegiate debuts at the Amherst Invitational, Simeone finished seventh overall in 20 minutes, 21.6 seconds; Moulton (21:16) was 13th; and Almeida (21:33.5) 17th. In the vastly competitive and prestigious University of Massachusetts at Amherst Invitational a week later, Simeone clocked 18:41 to finish 21st; Moulton 19:52 to finish 52d; and Almeida 21:17 to finish 74th.
“Each of them did very well in high school and each of them was very well coached,’’ said Nedeau. “But this is a major adjustment for them. They’re doing a lot of work they’re not used to. Throw in the adjustment of being away from home for the first time, getting used to college and new roommates, increased mileage, and you’ll see they have their work cut out for them.’’
Simeone has been most impressive early on, and her strong showing in the UMass Invitational earned her Runner of the Meet honors (chosen by Nedeau). Simeone was the second Amherst runner to finish.
“It was a personal record for her, a good race,’’ said Nedeau. Moulton “also ran her fastest time. Ali had a strong second half. She showed a lot of heart staying competitive with many Division 1 runners. Naming her runner of the meet wasn’t easy, but she deserved it. She stepped up and it’s good to recognize her effort. That will help build her confidence.
“I hate to say one of the three has more potential than the others, they were all outstanding high school runners, but Ali has shown the greater success thus far. Kristen is right behind. I view Lauren as stronger in track and right now she is making the adjustment. Of the three, perhaps it’s taking her a little longer, but I have a feeling that in a month or so, she is going to see a dramatic decrease in her time. I have to remind her to be patient. All three are going to figure prominently on the team.’’
Simeone and Almeida competed against each other in the Middlesex League, but never really got to be friends until their senior year. Neither knew the other was headed to Amherst. Moulton and North Reading were in the Cape Ann League and only saw the likes of Stoneham and Reading in All-State or New England meets. Each of the three runs indoor and outdoor track as well as cross-country.
“We’re all pretty tight now,’’ said Moulton. “Knowing there were other runners from neighboring towns made it a little easier to adjust. I feel like we have similar backgrounds. We can talk about meets we’ve run in and courses and tracks we’ve run on.’’
Campus corner
Junior cocaptain Kristen Macdonald of Billerica carded rounds of 75 and 77 to finish tied for second in the Dartmouth Women’s Invitational at Hanover Country Club. More than 100 golfers from 20 Division 1 schools participated. . . . University of Massachusetts at Lowell senior Jamie Gillis of North Billerica was the Northeast-10 Conference Goalkeeper of the Week after chalking up four straight shutouts against New Haven, St. Anselm, Assumption, and Bridgeport. The four shutouts ran Gillis’s scoreless streak to a school record 472 minutes. The defense in front of Gillis is anchored by seniors Kathleen Strazzere of Wilmington, and Colleen Fitzpatrick of Tewksbury, and juniors Ella Merullo of Wakefield and Michelle LaMar of Billerica. . . . Merrimack sophomore quarterback James Suozzo of Everett was the NE-10 Player of the Week, and the Division 2-3 Gold Helmet winner, after throwing for 227 and three touchdowns and rushing for 114 yards in a 42-21 win over Stonehill. . . . Caitlin Dunn of Middleton won in doubles with Amanda Carroll of Tewksbury and also won in her singles match to help Merrimack notch its first tennis win of the season against St. Rose. It was the third straight win for the Dunn/Carroll duo. . . . Meganne Chiasson of North Andover and Jackie McDonough of Winchester, along with Kelly Johnson of Buxton, Maine, are tri-captains of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute field hockey team. WPI was 5-1 after six games.Around and about
The 10th annual Hike For Hope to benefit Lazarus House in Lawrence is next Sunday at Merrimack College. The 1- and 5-mile walks begin at 12:30. Many North Shore and Merrimack Valley high school sports teams have committed. Call Lisa McEvoy 978-269-5206 for more information. . . . Caritas Holy Family Hospital of Methuen is hosting “A Night of Champions’’ tonight at the Wyndham Hotel in Andover. Among those expected to attend are Celtics Coach Doc Rivers, former Celtics JoJo White, Dana Barros, Cedric Maxwell, Satch Sanders, and Sam Jones; former Red Sox stars Rico Petrocelli and Luis Tiant; former Bruins Rick Middleton and Ken Hodge, and former Patriot Mosi Tatupu. “Men in Green,’’ a film about Celtics legends, will be shot on location. Call 978-687-0156 for ticket information.Ideas or information may be sent to JohnPvel@aol.com. 
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