CHS girls cross country races to 3rd straight win

The Canton High freshman girls cross country runners receive their award at the Rhode Island Invitational. Pictured are (l-r) Maya Alves, Karimi Ngaya, Coach Brian Gotsell, Libby Silvay, Iryna Leskiv, Natalie Hales, Elena Silva, Nola Monahan, and Lauren Raffetto. (CHS Cross Country photo)

The Canton High girls cross country team continued their winning ways with a convincing, 17-45 dual-meet victory over rival Stoughton last Tuesday, September 25, at Pequitside Farm. The talented young squad is in the midst of a breakout season and as of Monday they were tied with Oliver Ames for the top spot in the Davenport Division at 3-0 overall.

CHS head coach Brian Gotsell said the 5,000-meter course of rolling hills allowed the Bulldogs’ hometown harriers to use their experience from early season hill workouts to their advantage.

Freshman standout Lauren Raffetto continued her unbeaten streak, winning the race by over three and half minutes to cross the finish line in 20:52. Coming in second was freshman Sojo Dennis (24:39), followed by fellow freshman Elena Silva (24:42). Rounding out the top scorers for the Bulldogs were captain Klara Redquest, who placed fifth (24:54), and Natalie Hales, who took sixth (25:05). Also having strong races were Nola Monahan, Charlotte Powers, and Allison Lin, who won the JV race.

Team captain Maggie Dervan, speaking on the team’s success said, “After going winless a season ago, it is an amazing feeling to be 3-0 right now. I am so proud of everyone and excited to see how much more we can improve throughout the season.”

The boys team also topped Stoughton, winning by the same score (17-45) and improving to 2-1 on the season. Luke Darling was the overall meet winner with a time of 20:16, and he was followed by captains Maks Alves (20:56) and Sam Vail (21:04), who finished second and third, respectively. Declan Monahan and Austin DiBiasio were next for Canton, placing fifth and sixth, while Minh Hong continued his dominant freshman campaign with a seventh-place finish. Also having solid races were Jack Masciarelli and Evan Martignetti, who won the JV race.

“It was a great team win today,” noted Darling. “Every runner stepped up, from freshmen to seniors, to help us get this win. We’re now 2-1 and the future is looking bright.”

Gotsell said he is “super proud” of both teams for the way they have been performing and preparing. “We have been focusing on hill workouts and strength runs because our course is so hilly,” he said. “It’s nice to see that hard work paying dividends.”

Bulldogs shine at Rhode Island Invitational

Two days before hosting Stoughton, the Bulldogs traveled to Goodard Park in Rhode Island to compete in their first invitational of the season. Gotsell said the Canton runners showed they were able to compete against some of the best young cross country talent in the Northeast. When the results were tallied, the Bulldogs came out victorious with a team score of 38 points.

With the rain coming down and the trails becoming muddy, the freshmen showed up in a big way. In the freshman girls race, Raffetto broke the tape first with a time of 15:32 over the 4k course. Hales had a strong finish to place 11th (18:02), and Silva ran a smart and strategic race to grab 18th (18:20). Rounding out the scorers for the lady Bulldogs were Monahan in 35th (20:13) and Libby Silvay in 38th (20:32).

Also medaling in the freshmen boys race was Hong, who ran a phenomenal race to place 28th in 15:34.

“This was a great day for the Bulldogs,” said Gotsell. “Not only did we come away with some individual and team hardware, but it was a great learning experience. Invitationals are different than the dual meets they have been used to, so the athletes all came away with knowledge and experience. This will be crucial as we head into the later part of our season.”

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