Cross country hits the ground running

Cross Country season is in full swing. Both the girls and boys teams have already competed in two meets and are ready to head to the Frank Kelley Invitational at Wrentham park this weekend.  The girls team lost its first meet against Marblehead, but redeemed itself with a perfect score win against Lynn Classical 15-48.

“I think we have the potential to be a really strong team this year,” said senior Melanie MacDonald. “We have all been working really hard and we have all improved from the beginning of the season.”

After losing three seniors last year, the girls team, led by Cary Brancaleone, has gained five freshmen, along with two more runners, a junior and a sophomore.

“Out of the new freshmen, Christina Jones is doing extremely well, she is the second top scorer on the team” said sophomore Carly Curcuru. “The other freshmen are doing very well, they are at practice every day and are working very hard.”

The boys team, led by head coach Joe Brancaleone has had a rough start with injuries and sickness. But things are coming together. The boys lost their first meet but won their second meet against Lynn Classical.

“We have high expectations for a team that isn’t super proven,  but we have some young talent with me and Willy [Pierce] leading the way,” said senior captain Everest Crawford. “Our biggest goal is to make the all-state championships as a team, which is difficult.”

In past years, separate members of the team have made it to All-States at Bradley Palmer State Park. With four more meets ahead of them and multiple invitationals, the GHS Cross Country team is off to a running start.