DEVENS — Halfway by means of the cross nation season it appeared as if Cambridge’s Aoife Shovlin might not regain her energy for sturdy showings within the championship race.
Shovlin proved any naysayers improper with a giant smile throughout the end line within the Div. 1 race at Saturday’s Meet of Champions.
Racing in chilly situations on the difficult course, Shovlin assumed the lead early and turned it right into a runaway. Shovlin was by no means challenged as she danced throughout the end line in 18 minutes, 6.29 seconds to simply defend her title. Oliver Ames’ Katie Sobieraj was a distant second to Shovlin in 18:29.21 and Westfield’s Megan Moran grabbed the bronze in 18:29.69.
Shovlin was way more aggressive this go round than final 12 months.
“I wanted to run from the front and see just how fast I could go,” she mentioned. “This definitely boosted my confidence. A year ago I tried to stay at the front and wanted to outkick people.”
There was most likely no happier winner on the day than Kaylie Dalgar. The Pentucket harrier has flown underneath the radar for a lot of the season, however got here up large within the Div. 3 race.
Dalgar switched gears with 200 meters left and stormed across the last nook for the win in 18:57.12, edging out West Bridgewater’s Ella Dunbury (18:59.62). Cameron Davis of Oxford was third in 19:02.92.
Dalgar, who will attend UMass Amherst and was second in final weekend’s divisional race, thought-about herself an underdog simply attempting to make some noise within the largest meet on the autumn schedule.
“I knew I still had a good chance to finish well,” mentioned Dalgar, who completed 14th final 12 months. “We pulled away on the hill and I used the last downhill to push. I saw Ella out of the corner of my eye and I just went.”
The Cape Ann Conference champion needed to nurse a shin damage after ending fourth on the Twilight Invitational, which slowed her in the course of the season.
“It was kind of a chill season because my injuy took me out,’ said Dalgar. “I was seeded sixth today. I was hoping for top five, maybe top three. I never thought I was going to win.”
Two-time Div. 2 champion Carmen Luisi shared the lead with Holliston teammate Maggie Kuchman earlier than a persistent illness pressured her to drop out at 2-1/2 miles. Kuchman took up the slack and outdueled Marblehead’s Marri O’Connell to the end in 18:38.8. O’Connell was second in 18:43.9 and Emily Flagg of Whitinsville Christian took third in 18:54.7.
Wakefield had an enormous day in capturing the crew competitors with 127 factors. Dover-Sherborn was second with 151 factors.
Source: www.bostonherald.com
