The Harwood boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams had their first meet of the season at the Burlington Invitational held on Saturday, September 12, at North Beach.
Harwood girls took up right where they left off from 2014. Harwood girls returned six of their top seven from their state championship squad.
Sophomore Erin Magill and junior co-captain Anneka Williams led the Harwood girls by finishing sixth and eighth, respectively. They were followed by Jordy Kulis (23rd), Isabel Jamieson (29th) and co-captain Lily Clark (31st).
The team finished an impressive sixth in the elite field and first for Division II teams. “Looks like they haven’t missed a beat,” said a very pleased coach John Kerrigan, who is starting his 38th season with the Highlander cross-country teams.
Harwood girls returned six of their top seven, but the Harwood boys lost their top three from the state championship 2014 squad, including two-time All American Sam Nishi.
First-year runner and Nordic skier Noah Eckstein led the Highlanders with an impressive sixth-place finish in his very first cross-country race. A much-improved Daniel Bevacqui in 19th followed him. The rest of the Harwood boys packed together: Anthony Palmerio (35th), Kyle Dash (39th), Colin Fennelly (43rd) Nathan Palmerio (53rd) and Tristan Touchette (54th).
The boys’ team finished a very impressive sixth overall and second among Division II teams.
“It was a great start to the season. We usually start slow and peak toward the end of the season,” said Kerrigan.
Full results can be viewed at the following link: RESULTS.
Harwood cross-country will compete on Saturday, September 19, at the U-32 Invitational.
Kerrigan is coaching for his 38th season and has his largest team ever. There are 70 students on the cross-country teams. Over 13 percent of the entire student body at Harwood Union runs cross-country.
