Paris, Phair Victorious in Cross Country Opener

SHEFFIELD, Mass. -- Taconic's boys went 1-2-3 and took five of the top six places in Wednesday's cross country race at Mount Everett.

 

Sophomore Jacob Paris finished first in 17 minutes, 21 seconds, setting a 5:35 mile pace and finishing 14 seconds ahead of teammate Branden Pelkey.

 

In the girls race, Monument Mountain's Grace Phair finished nearly two minutes ahead of the field and led five Spartans in the top nine.

 

Phair finished in 18:53, ahead of runner-up Danielle Orlando of Wahconah, who finished in 20:44.

 

Orlando's teammate, freshman Haley Crosier, was third in 20:46.

 

Then came Monument's Jasmin Johannsdottir (20:51) in fourth. Monument also placed Hannah Flynn, Eliza Philip and Sydni Viola in sixth, seventh and ninth, respectively.

 

Taconic's Mary Hayes placed fifth in 21:11. Mount Everett's Carly Duval led the Eagles by finishing 23rd in 24:18.

 

For Taconic's boys, Mike LaFreniere placed third in 17:37 before Monument Mountain's Peter LaRochelle broke up Taconic's run by finishing fourth in 17:38.

 

Taconic's Gabe Carrington and Sean Chicchetti placed sixth and seventh, respectively.

 

Monument Mountain placed three in the top 10. Following LaRochelle for the Spartans were Mike Goretti in seventh and Kevin Robertson in 10th.

 

Host Mount Everett was led by Cole Duval in eighth place in a time of 18:09.

 

Wahconah's top boy was Carlton Brooks, who placed 16th in 19:04.