Franklin girls step above rest
McIntyre meet goes to Panthers
Franklin girls’ cross-country coach Paul Trovato knew the Panthers had their work cut out for them. After making the jump from EMass Division 3 to Division 2 just a few years ago, Franklin has reached its zenith this season: Division 1.
“They really put an effort into trying to have a great season,’’ Trovato said of his team that finished first in the Division 1 Bob McIntyre Invitational at Franklin Park yesterday. “And this is our first year up in Division 1, so we think it’s a good start.’’
Panthers runners, senior Mary Cole (19:25) and junior Megan Ross (19:41), placed fourth and seventh, respectively, to help carry Franklin (95) to victory.
“I got out pretty well and me and my teammate, Megan Ross, we ran together for pretty much the entire race,’’ Cole explained. “So we were at a pretty consistent pace the entire time, and then once we got into the wilderness, I started picking it up.’’
But Trovato was cognizant of the absence of cross-country powerhouses Lincoln-Sudbury and Newton South.
“We’re also aware of the time of year and there are some teams that aren’t here and some teams that are here,’’ he said. “There’s always room for improvement.’’
Individually, Oliver Ames senior Jenna Davidner (18:32) finished first, ahead of Newton North junior Margo Gillis (19:13), and Masconomet senior Abbey D’Agostino (19:19), whose team, the Chieftains (161), took second.
Division 2 girls: Erin Murphy, Jenn Thomas, Anisa Arsenault, and Viviana Hanley finished fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh as Bishop Feehan (31) beat Hamilton-Wenham (83) and Dennis-Yarmouth (124).
The Shamrocks squad was so strong that their fifth runner, sophomore Erin Svensen, placed 14th.
Race winner, senior Alanna Poretta (18:40), blew by the competition for Pentucket.
Division 1 boys: Due to a mix-up at the scoring table, Lowell (143) was initially announced as the second-place team behind Westboro (156). But once the Red Raiders had their fifth man factored, they were back on top.
“Today we were second place, our fifth guy now figures into the scoring, and we win the meet,’’ said Lowell coach Phil Maia, who tries to coach to a top team rather than a top athlete. “That’s going to be my focal point when I talk to the kids about the importance of the fifth guy.’’
The Red Raiders’ top runner, Mike Giardina (16:34), finished ninth, with Xaverian senior John Bleday (15:55) and Westboro senior Byron Jones (16:01) placing first and second. Xaverian (181) finished third.
Division 2 boys: Pembroke routed the competition with a score of 60, but the race for second and third was tight with Bishop Feehan (110) sneaking by Seekonk (112).
Titans runners Ryan Kelley (16:07), Paul Cina (16:32), and Brendan Adams (16:57) all placed in the top 10.
There was a photo-finish for Old Rochester junior Dana Dourdeville (15:59), who barely edged out senior Max Darrah (15:59) from Dennis-Yarmouth. The Bulldogs (490) finished 18th and the Dolphins (215) fifth.
For meet results, go to Page C19 
