Chalk it all up to team spirit.
Lynnfield’s girls cross country team, in search of its first win of the season, got just that Sept. 25 when the Pioneers cruised to a 20-41 victory over visiting Ipswich.
Gabby Bottaro was the Pioneers’ top performer with a second-place finish. Caitlin Buoniconti (3rd), Kaila George (4th), Abby Lopez (5th), Shea Moore (6th), Maeve Wertz (7th), and Lily White (10th) also finished in the top 10. April Sun, Karolena Gomez, Inaayah Qazafi, Ciara Long, Gemma Primavera, Afsana Rabani and Julia Maliawco set season personal records.
“It was an exciting home-opener today,” said coach Liane Cook.
The boys team doubled up with an 18-41 win to remain undefeated at 3-0.
“The boys had a big win against Ipswich today on their home course,” said coach Bill Wallace. “On paper, this looked like it was going to be a really close meet, but the boys stepped up and blew out their opponent. This was the biggest win for the team so far this year.”
Shea McCarthy was first overall, with Dylan Nguyen, Nick DeGennaro and Liam Gardner rounding out the top-four places. Ashkrit Mahajan (8th), Ritvik Mahajan (9th), and Mike Marenghi (10th) rounded out the top 10. McCarthy, DeGennaro, Gardner, Ashkrit and Ritvik Mahajan, Marenghi, Rowan Beyer, Brady Trippe, Jason Tran, Jacob Book, Andre Pena, Nathan Malefant, Jack Cuddy, and Emile Coumnas set season PRs.
Both teams are back in action against Hamilton-Wenham at home on Wednesday, Oct. 9.
