Holyoke Catholic senior runner Julie Carroll, of Southwick, crosses the finish line at Saturday’s state cross country championships at Stanley Park. (Photo by Lynn F. Boscher)
WESTFIELD – A sensational run for one local runner has come to an end.
Holyoke Catholic senior runner Julie Carroll, of Southwick completed her state championship run in 47th place Saturday at Stanley Park.
Carroll finished the race in 19:49.63, behind overall individual Division 2 girls’ champ, Bellingham’s Sarah Edwards (18:12.58), runner-up Phoebe von Conta, of Parker Charter School (18:23.64), and others, but well ahead of the rest of the field.
Carroll’s claim to fame is an historic one as the Holyoke Catholic senior finishes as the third fastest runner in school history.
One week ago, Carroll put forth a fabulous effort, claiming a top 10 finish at the Western Massachusetts championships. She was ninth (19:36.42).
…And they’re off and running at the MIAA state cross country championships Saturday at Stanley Park. (Photo by Lynn F. Boscher)
The Westfield High School girls’ cross country team also completed a solid postseason in Division 1, cracking the top 20 with strong runs from Sophie Gronbeck (111th, 20:21.93), Mia McDonald (148th, 20:56.42), Carley Censabella (21:20.56), Madison Eline (21:51.64), Elizabeth Irwin (21:59.52), Mary Philpot (22:46.78), and Clara Hinck (23:39.64).
Westfield qualified for the states with a third-place overall finish as a team at Western Mass.
In the boys’ portion of the competition, Gabriel Piepergerde was the first Westfield Bomber to cross the finish line. Piepergerde was 104th with a time of 16:59.48.
Southwick High School’s Jack Davis placed 125th (17:39.48), and Cathedral’s Billy Carroll, also a Southwick resident, finished 136th (17:47.90).
The run, while technically over now for all Massachusetts high school cross country runners, will continue for several of the same athletes during indoor track season later this year and next spring in track and field.
The Westfield Bombers came together for a state championship run Saturday at Stanley Park. (Photo by Lynn F. Boscher)
