One misses a shoe — no problem
UPDATED, Nov. 18: The Arlington High School girls’ cross-country team traveled to the Wrentham Developmental Center to compete in the Frank Mooney Coaches Invitational this month.
Among the finishers Nov. 4. was a competitor who completed the race, finishing strong while wearing one shoe.
The sophomores ran first, as the top three Spy Ponders stuck together for the duration of the 3.1-mile race, finishing within 10 seconds of each other. Leading the pack was Alevia Doyle (21:23), who finished just three seconds ahead of Keziah Wilde (21:26). Right after Wilde came Jessica Pigott (21:31).
In the ninth-grade race, Arlington’s Eliane Huet led the Spy Ponders, finishing the 1.8-mile course in 13:40, placing 65th in a field of 192 runners. Huet was quickly followed by Lauren Geise (13:44) and Sierra Curro (13:46).
The junior/senior race was the last of day where Annie Cave (20:31) raced to an impressive 15th place overall and was first for the Spy Ponders. Seniors Hannah Alton (21:31) and Katherine Faiola (21:35) followed Cave just a minute later.
Another notable performance came from Caroline Dressler, who ran the whole race with one shoe, and still finished right behind fellow senior Marie Olland (21:54), with a time of 21:56.
One week later the top-10 athletes continued to the Eastern Division Championship. Despite the cold temperature and even chillier winds, the Spy Ponders were eager to compete in the competitive Division 2 race. Here are the divisional results >>
Cave (20:23) finished first for Arlington and 37th overall. Ten seconds later, Hyde (20:33) crossed the finish line in 46th place. Third for Arlington and 82nd overall was Faiola (21:21).
The remaining Arlington scorers were Dressler, Pigott, Doyle and Wilde. The team finished 13th in a field of 23 teams.
Arlington will say goodbye to six senior athletes, all of whom have been major contributors to the varsity lineup during the past three years.
After maintaining a 4-3 record for the third season in a row, the Spy Ponders will need to rely on younger talent during the 2018 season.
This news summary by AHS yteam member Alevia Doyle was published Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017.
In league meet, Oosting runs first; girls rate 7th
In the Middlesex League Cross-Country meet Monday, Oct. 30, at the Woburn Country Club. Ryan Oosting placed first in the league, with 12:29.7.
The Arlington High boys’ team finished third overall. See results >>
The AHS girls’ varsity cross-country team came in seventh at the league meet championship. The junior varsity and freshmen girls came in second to Lexington, Coach Meagan Bassett reported Tuesday, Oct. 31. For full results, click here >>
The Arlington girls’ cross-country team hosted its last meet of the 2017 regular season Tuesday, Oct. 24, and came away with a win.
Belmont victory detailed
Arlington took advantage of the home course, as well as the excitement of the team’s Senior Night, to secure a 27-30 win over Belmont.
The team must now combine its efforts for the postseason, hoping to offer solid performances at the Coaches’ Invitational, set for Saturday, Nov. 4; and the Eastern Division championship, set for Nov. 11. If all goes well, the fierce competition and months of training will produce fast times for the Ponder girls to conclude the season.
The team was happy to conclude the dual meets and segue into the postseason on a positive note. The final victory contributed to a record of 4-3, the same winning season that has been attained by the Ponders for the third consecutive year.
Although Arlington outperformed Belmont overall, first place went to a Marauder, Eleanor Amer, winning the race in 20:13.
First for the Spy Ponders was junior Annie Cave, who led the team with a time of 20:21. Senior Sarah Hyde (20:23) closely followed.
The other top-five spots on the Arlington team were occupied by senior Hannah Alton (20:54), sophomore Jesse Pigott (20:57) and senior Marie Olland (20:58), who banded together to beat out the next wave of Belmont runners.
Next to finish were seniors Edith Mendez (21:01), Katherine Faiola (21:10) and Caroline Dressler (21:29), each runner occupying a pivotal position in the displacement of Belmont athletes. Sophomores Ella Walsh (21:36) and Keziah Wilde (22:31) concluded the Arlington varsity roster, contributing to an overall successful race day.
The Ponder junior-varsity girls also earned the win, led by Sophomore Alevia Doyle, at 21:12.
This news summary by Annie Cave, a junior on the AHS team, was published Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017.
Boys grab first title
The Arlington High boys’ cross-country team has notched its first Middlesex Liberty League title, Melissa Dlugolecki, director of athletics, reported Tuesday, Oct. 24.
The Arlington High girls’ cross-country team was due to return home to compete against Belmont for its final meet of the season, set for Tuesday, Oct. 24.
The girls traveled to Horn Pond on Wednesday, Oct. 18, when it suffered its third loss of the season, bringing its record to 3-3. The team fell to Lexington the previous week, 19-38.
The varsity team tried its best to keep pace with Winchester, but early on it was clear that the Sachems were in control of the race. Junior Annie Cave (20:04) led the Spy Ponders, trailing the top three Winchester girls to the finish line. Cave was first for Arlington and fourth overall.
The rest of the varsity team was not far behind. Senior Sarah Hyde (20:11) crossed the finish line in sixth place, followed seconds later by sophomore Jessie Pigott (20:15).
Arlington runners, from left, on Oct. 10 are Marie Olland, Annie Cave and Keziah Wilde. / Photo by Gregg Montesi
Seniors Marie Olland (20:42) and Hannah Alton (20:49) were ninth and 11th, rounding out the top five for Arlington. Sophomore Ella Walsh celebrated her first varsity race, finishing 21:47.
The junior-varsity team ran alongside varsity in a combined race. Turning notable times were Lauren White (22:06), Silvi Grodstein (22:12) and Charu Soloff (22:29).
“It’s a tough time in the season due to injuries, but we held our own against Winchester,” said Senior Sophie Plotkin.
The team hopes that it will secure another win before the Middlesex League meet, set for Monday, Oct. 30.
This news summary by Grace Willoughby, a senior on the AHS team, was published Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017.
Oosting again runs in record time
Ryan Oosting, junior captain of the Arlington High School boys’ cross-country team, has broken a course record, for the second time in two years.
Oosting finished the three-mile race on Tuesday, Oct. 10, in 15 minutes and 1 second, winning the meet by 24 seconds.
The team topped undefeated Lexington and improved to 4-1. Oosting, Jeff Candell and Miles Harrison took the first three spots. For the girls’ team, Woburn improved to 4-0 on Tuesday, Oct. 3 , knocking Arlington High girls’ cross-country (3-1) out of the unbeaten ranks, 15-41. Then Lexington followed up on Oct. 10, prevailing, 38-19. Details to come.
While the cool air, paired with sunny weather ensured perfect racing conditions, the Spy Ponders suffered their first loss of the season against the state-ranked Tanners.
The varsity squad was unable to break into the lead pack of Woburn runners who raced side by side and snatched the first five places.
Junior Annie Cave (20:22) was first across the line for Arlington, claiming sixth place. She was followed by senior Sarah Hyde (20:26), sophomore Keziah Wilde (20:27) and senior Marie Olland (20:34), who all aided in securing sixth through ninth place for the Spy Ponders.
Though they may not have won, the varsity girls showed outstanding improvement in their times, compared to the previous home meet just two weeks ago.
The junior-varsity squad remained undefeated after its 23-35 victory over Woburn.
Sophomore Jessie Pigott, who trailed the lead Woburn runner for the first two miles, crossed the finish line first in 20:30. Pigott was soon followed by freshman Halle Snell (21:39), sophomores Charu Soloff (21:40), Lauren Murphy (21:58), Ella Walsh (22:00) and senior Silvi Grodstein (22:07), who came in third, fourth, seventh, eighth and ninth place, respectively.
Arlington plans to travel to Lexington on Tuesday, Oct. 10, and stays on the road to face Winchester on Oct. 18.
This news summary by Lily Snyder Di Cesare was published Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. It was updated Oct. 11, with the Lexington score, as well as the boys’ team results.
Runner top Reading Sept. 26
Despite the grueling heat, Arlington girls’ cross-country team improved to 3-0 as it beat Reading, 22-33, on Tuesday, Sept. 26. The varsity team raced the fastest times it’s seen this season, keeping its undefeated title.
Although Reading’s top runner took first place, the next three places were taken by the Spy Ponders, finishing within four seconds of one another on the 2.9-mile course.
Securing second place was senior Marie Olland (19:50), third place went to junior Annie Cave (19:51) and fourth place to senior Katherine Faiola (19:54).
Senior Sarah Hyde (20:04) raced to a sixth-place finish, and senior Edith Mendez (20:13) held eighth overall, finishing as Arlington’s fifth and final scorer.
Other notable performances came from freshman Keziah Wilde, and senior Hannah Alton who displaced Reading runners, further contributing to the victory.
The junior-varsity team looked strong, racing to a 15-50 victory for the second week in a row.
Sophomore Alevia Doyle (20:44) led the charge, followed by junior Lauren White (21:33), senior Silvi Grodstein (21:55) and sophomores Ella Walsh (22:02) and Lauren Murphy (22:09).
Arlington returns home to face Woburn on Tuesday, Oct. 3, travels to Lexington on Oct. 10.
This news summary, by AHS junior By Lauren White, was published Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, and updated Oct. 4.
Girls win second, against Stoneham
The team raced against Stoneham for the first home meet of the season at the Res on Tuesday, Sept. 19. Even with the heavy rain and muddy course, the Spy Ponders defeated the Spartans, 24-35.
During the first mile, Arlington trailed several Stoneham runners, until the top-five Spy Ponders picked up the pace to pass all but two Spartans in the second and third mile.
While Stoneham’s top two runners secured first and second place, the Arlington varsity team clinched the next five consecutive spots, led by junior Annie Cave (20:29) and senior Sarah Hyde (20:30).
Close behind, senior Marie Olland (20:35), senior Katherine Faiola (20:48) and sophomore Keziah Wilde (20:58) rounded out Arlington’s top-five scorers.
Other notable performances include seniors Edith Mendez, Hannah Alton and Caroline Dressler — who finished 9th, 10th and 11th — after racing past a Stoneham runner just before the finish line.
Sophomores Jessie Pigott and Charu Soloff also raced well, both finishing in under 22 minutes.
The junior-varsity team won, 15-50. Arlington took the top seven spots, led by sophomores Alevia Doyle (22:02), Ella Walsh (22:21) and Lauren Murphy (22:43).
Senior Silvi Grodstein, juniors Miu Kikuchi and Lauren White, and sophomore Devon Haessler finished close behind to secure the win for the JV team.
The first home meet was a success for the whole team, especially the majority of the JV runners who improved on their previous times by minutes. Senior captain Olland commented, [E]even though the conditions were tough, the results were amazing and we look forward to the rest of the season.”
Arlington travels to Reading on Tuesday, Sept. 26, and will race Woburn at the Res on Oct. 3.
This news summary by AHS senior Katherine Faiola, a team member, was published Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017. It was updated with the Reading win on Sept. 26.
AHS girls’ cross-country edge Wakefield in opener
The team won its first match of the season in a thrilling race against Wakefield, narrowly defeating the Warriors, 27-28.
On Tuesday, Sept. 12, Wakefield’s Olivia Lucey took first place, but the Warriors were not able to keep AHS senior Sarah Hyde (21:19) and junior Annie Cave (21:39) from securing second and third place.
It was a sprint to the finish between the next four runners, with Wakefield taking fourth and AHS senior Caroline Dressler (21:48) coming in just seconds later.
Arlington’s Edith Mendez (21:49) was edged out by milliseconds at the finish line coming in seventh behind Wakefield’s Gillian Russell. Two more Wakefield runners managed to squeeze in before senior Katherine Faiola (22:22) took the 10th and final spot, securing the win for the Spy Ponders.
While the Spy Ponders are returning their entire varsity lineup from the 2016 season, the sophomore trio of Charu Soloff (23:43), Ella Walsh (23:47) and Lauren Murphy (23:58) will add to the depth of the Arlington squad.
Starting the season with a victory on the road gives the team a boost of confidence needed for some tough competition. After battling the heat and a challenging course, senior Sophie Plotkin commented, “The conditions were tough, but we were tougher.”
The Spy Ponders to Reading on Sept. 26.
This news summary, published Sunday, Sept. 17, is by Marie Olland, a senior and captain of the AHS team.
