Recorder area cross country teams have some talented runners looking for postseason success heading into the new campaign.
The Frontier Regional girls team has a platoon of fast runners to rely on as the season begins. The Redhawks boasts a strong sophomore class along with lone senior Louise Flagollet. Maia Christensen, Phoebe Radner and Liv Christensen should run some fast times for the Redhawks.
Frontier finished 13-2 overall and 5-2 in the Pioneer North last season. The boys team has Evan Hedlund leading the pack, who achieved massive postseason success last season. Hedlund moves into his senior season with the Redhawks.
Virginia Krezmien trained going into her senior season with Mohawk Trail. Krezmien wants to set personal records this season for the Warriors. Natalie Lanoue is poised for a strong season for Mohawk.
For Greenfield, Ryan Spofford is a fast runner for the Green Wave. Harper Hake moves into her sophomore season after a strong freshman campaign for Pioneer Valley Regional.
Most schools have a limited roster sizes and will focus on development. Here is a closer look at all of the teams.
Frontier
Coaches: Walt Flynn and Bob Smith
League/Division: Pioneer North/3
Boys roster: Seniors — Evan Hedlund, Henry Maxey; Juniors Brendan Carey, Adam Paul, Dominic Sarno; Sophomores — George Payne, Gunnar Triggs; Eighth grade — Brayden Abramson, Anders Boutt, Ronen Carnes, Samuel Carter, Emerson Clark, Callum Joyce, Austin Bguyen; Seventh grade — Milo Ambs, Reid Jackman, Sawyer Owens.
Girls roster: Senior — Louise Flagollet; Juniors — Liv Christensen, Maia Christensen, Eliza Montminy, Phoebe Radner, Paisley Severance, Lilliana Smith; Sophomores — Julianna Dettmers, Jade Walker-Hanning; Freshman — Thaily Ordaz; Eighth graders — Farrah Lemay, Clover Metcalf, Livy Byrne, Ginny Freschete, Ella Liriano; Seventh grade — Kelyin Valenzuela, Frankie Arcaro-Meyer, Olivia Craig, Aarna Gupta;
Outlook: In addition to senior Louise Flagollet, the Redhawks have a strong core of sophomores consisting of Liv Christensen, Maia Christensen and Paisley Severance. Lilliana Smith and Farray Lemay are two runners to watch. Hedlund should have the same level of success or more as last season.
Greenfield
Coach: Stu Elliot
League/Division: Pioneer North/3
Boys roster: Senior — Ryan Spofford; Sophomore — Derek Scotera; Eighth grade — Oliver Audet, Darby Cardin, Jake Pulizari; Seventh grade — Simon Caswell, Alex Helie;
Girls roster: Senior — Lillianna Badillo, Lauren Helie; Sophomore — Esther Bakare; Eighth grade — Lillian Caron; Seventh grade — Rhoda Nills.
Outlook: Lillianna Badillo, Esther Bakare, Lillian Caron, and Lauren Helie return from last year’s roster for a small Greenfield girls team. Helie ran first for the Green Wave, followed by Caron. Ryan Spofford and Derek Scotera are the returning boys from the varsity roster.
Mohawk Trail
Coach: Joe Chadwick
League/Division: Pioneer North/3
Boys roster: Seniors — Carson Richardson, Aidan Gauthier; Junior —Leo Boltz; Freshman — Xerxes Law; Eighth grade — Elia Banks-Breunig, Chase Hamel, Isaac Kovalchick; Seventh grade — Rocco Vellucci.
Girls roster: Seniors — Virginia Krezmien, Natalie Lanoue, Katie Osterman; Eighth grade — Jasmine Boyle, Brooke Harrison; Seventh grade — Eula Leo Wolf.
Outlook: Virginia Krezmien and Natalie Lonoue should lead the effort for the girls team. Krezmien enters her senior season after a full summer of hard training for the Warriors.
Mahar Regional
Coach: Sarah Woodward (Maddie Moore, manager)
League/Division: Pioneer Central/3
Roster: Senior — Michael LaPlante; Juniors — Preston Ford, Isiah Whitmore; Freshman Joseph Burke; Ben Norwood; Eighth grade —John Chapin, Michel Tolman, Talen Eaton, Daniel LaPlante, Braden LeBlanc.
Outlook: Michael LaPlante and Isiah Whitmore are the captains for the Senators.
Pioneer Valley Regional
Coach: Paul Hake
League/Division: Pioneer Central/3
Roster: Sophomore — Harper Hake; Freshman — Emmett Henderson; Eighth grade —Tallen Lupien, Edith L’Etoile, Emma Koppenheffer; Seventh grade — Logan Vieu; Ryanne Henderson.
Outlook: Freshman Emmett Henderson has shown strong promise during the preseason. Harper Hake is looking to surpass her strong freshman year.
Turners Falls
Coach: Leslie Charles
League/Division: Pioneer Central/3
Boys roster: Eighth grade — Lucian Carlo; Seventh grade — Lucas Edson, Gus Marstall, August Bingham.
Girls roster: Junior — Olivia Wolbach; Seventh grade — Eleanor McAndrews.
Outlook: Olivia Wolbach leads the way for the Thunder as the only upperclassmen on the entire roster. Wolbach is a captain for Turners Falls. On the boys’ side, Lucian Carolo has captain status.
Franklin Tech
Coach: Oliver Rodgers
League/Division: N/A
Boys roster: Senior — Wyatt Dejnak; Juniors —Max Kenfield, James Edson; Sophomore —Leo McDonald
Girls roster: Sophomore — Zoe Morrison.
Outlook: The Eagles are working with a very small roster but will look to Leo McDonald to build off a very strong freshman season. McDonald is building into a very strong runner for the Eagles.
