Out are the Division I contenders like Amherst Regional and Northampton high schools, but in are Berkshire County powers Mt. Greylock Regional, Lenox Memorial and Monument Mountain Regional, so the talent level won’t drop off much – if at all.
That will be the challenge facing Franklin County’s best runners as they prepare for Western Massachusetts Division II Cross Country Championships on Sunday at Stanley Park in Westfield.
The girls’ race is scheduled to start 1:35 p.m., with the boys’ meet set for 2:45 (the Division I races are at 1 and 2:10, respectively).
Traditionally held on a Saturday, the move was necessitated because Westfield State is hosting the NCAA Division III Regionals today.
The county’s best chance for a title on the primarily flat 3.1-mile course is on the girls’ side, where Mohawk’s trio of talented harriers all have a chance at top-10 finishes, and possibly a trophy finish (the top two teams receive trophies).
Schools who compete as a team are allotted seven runners, and the top five finishers count toward the team score. The top three teams, as well as the top 10 individuals not on those teams, will qualify for the State Championships on Nov. 19 at Gardner Municipal Golf Course.
Longtime power Lenox appears to be the favorite to win the team title, but Mohawk Trail Regional High School is among a group of three schools that could push the Millionaires to the limit, should they have the necessary depth.
If Lenox holds on to win, Mohawk, Mount Greylock and Hampshire Regional are the most likely schools who will battle for the other two spots in the state meet.
The Warriors’ hopes rest on the performances of their top three runners, all of whom had stellar efforts last week — precocious eighth-grader Jackie Wells crossed the line as the runner-up in an impressive 19 minutes, 14 seconds, followed by sophomore first-year performer Meghan Davis and junior Lilly Wells in fourth. All three have their sights set on Gardner, and their performances will likely determine if the team qualifies.
“What makes these girls so incredible is that they generally really, really like each other,” offered Mohawk veteran Hall-of-Fame head coach Joe Chadwick. “They work well together.”
After the Mohawk trio, there are only a few other runners who have a chance to qualify for the states and both run for Greenfield High School — Jamie Day (18th last week) and Amy O’Sullivan (36th, despite suffering an ankle injury).
On the boys’ side, Frontier Regional School finished sixth in last week’s PVIAC meet but tops among Division II schools.
The level of competition won’t drop off, though. Mount Greylock is considered the overwhelming favorite, so the Red Hawks’ chances of qualifying for the state will depend on whether their depth is enough to get past either Pope Francis High School or Monument Mountain, the other expected contenders for the runner-up spot.
Frontier will be led by sophomores Carsten Carey and Alex Sharp, who finished 19th and 22nd respectively last week. But the Red Hawks’ hopes will rest on who else can step up to help improve their team score. Last week it was new freshman Jake Meier, and now it may depend on teammates like Ben Litskoski, Aaron Dorshow and Andy Paul.
Mohawk doesn’t have the depth to contend for the team title, but junior Seth Hoynoski (28th last week) has a great shot of qualifying for the states with his best effort.
“He’s consistently been our best runner,” said Chadwick.
Another individual who could earn his spot in Gardner is Franklin County Technical School’s Sohan Tyner, one of the county’s best runners all season. He and the rest of the Eagles are rested after bypassing PVIACs.