Danvers girls cross country team had a big meet this week in a highly anticipated NEC showdown between the last two unbeaten teams in the conference. Danvers and Marblehead took each other on at Danvers High on Wednesday October 8th. Big things are expected out of both the teams this season and it showed in this highly competitive race.
Marblehead came out on top with 22 points compared to Danvers’ 34 (lowest scores win in cross country), with Mari O’Connel and Sarah Munroe finishing first and second, respectively. Danvers was close behind, with junior captain Grace Conklin and sophomore Mady Danish in third and fourth place, respectively. Senior captain Addie Lamar finished in sixth, close behind Marblehead’s fifth place runner. Three Danvers runners ran personal bests, with Lamar’s by 40 seconds, Danish’s by a minute and 18 seconds, and Conklin, also with a big PR. Danvers also had junior captain Emily Sullivan finishing in 9th and sophomore Paige Sherman in 12th.
There was excitement leading up to the meet from coaches and runners because, “it was a good opportunity to have a really good race because of the level of competition,” said junior captain, Emily Sullivan. “Even though we lost, it was an awesome race for everyone,” she says looking back.
Danvers also celebrated their seniors Addie Lamar, Ben Wilhelm, and Emily Lemaire as they ran on their home course with the boys team also having a strong race.
The Falcons are currently preparing for their NEC meet on the 25th of this month.
