By Jake Epstein
Sports Reporter
The second-ranked girls cross country team lost a close race to Lincoln- Sudbury at the 2015 DCL championship meet on Oct. 30, finishing in second place overall.
“Everyone had a goal and a race plan going into the meet,” senior Liza Hochberg said. “These goals were mostly met or exceeded.”
Junior Clare Martin and senior captain Rebecca Grusby finished second and third, respectively, in the five-kilometer race. Martin was edged out in the last 200 meters by L-S’ Ariel Keklak.
Sophomores Caroline Barry and Emily Bulczynski finished ninth and 25th, respectively, as four Lions placed in the top 25.
“Our team has progressed tremendously throughout the season,” Hochberg said. “Not only have we improved our running, but we have become closer as a team. The support that the runners give each other by cheering in races and pushing others in workouts has cultivated an atmosphere of success.”
Hochberg, who has been battling injuries this season, said she was impressed by the team’s performance and thinks the team will be able to build off of this momentum.
Senior captain Noosha Aliabadi agreed that the team will be able to replicate its success at DCLs as it looks down the stretch at future meets.
“I think the biggest thing we have to fear is getting sick, which is always a huge problem on our team, and just being nervous,” Aliabadi said. “Other than that, I have no doubt we can be one of the top teams in the state.”
As of now, Martin holds the second fastest time in Massachusetts, while Grusby holds the sixth.
Both are hoping to improve their rankings in the upcoming state meets, along with the rest of the varsity unit, which seeks to move up from second to first in the state rankings.
Though injuries have plagued the girls team, they remain optimistic. As the team leaves behind the DCLs, the girls look to take down top-ranked Lincoln-Sudbury in hopes of attaining the state title.
“That’s been a goal of ours since the first day the season started,” senior captain Caraline Pham said. “With how everything has been going, we all believe it’s possible and are looking forward to an exciting meet.”
