The boys and girls cross-country teams kicked off their seasons in dramatic fashion at the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association XC Relays this past weekend in Attleboro, where Harvard runners braved heat, humidity, and a thunderstorm that cut short the final race. Both the girls and boys squads turned in strong early-season performances, highlighted by multiple top-15 finishes and medals.
Shea Van Cleef hands off to anchor leg Liam Kemeza in the MSTCA relays. Each team of three runners ran a 1.5-mile loop. The race was cut short due to an incoming thunderstorm. No scores were posted but the boys team of Harrison Binnick, Kemeza, and Van Cleef, were in fifth place when the race was called. (Photos by Jen Manell)
The format of the MSTCA event, a fall classic, is unique. Each relay team consists of three runners, each of whom runs a 1.5-mile leg in a 4.6-mile race. Split times are not recorded, just the total. In addition to all-girls and all-boys categories, the event offers coed combinations: two boys and one girl, or two girls and one boy.
Girls teams medal across the board
Harvard entered four girls teams—two in the freshman/sophomore race and two in the junior/senior division—and every group earned a top-15 finish.
The freshman/sophomore squad of Grace McWaters, Callia Sintros, and Gina Moussouris finished 11th among 50 teams, with Moussouris closing a gap of eight places on the anchor leg. Just behind them, Kylie Nguyen, Chloe Bradley, and Yana Li held off a late-charging team to secure 15th place and the final medal position in a dramatic finish.
In the junior/senior race, the trio of Christina Kekis, Jacquie Wilkins, and Abby Wool placed 14th among 65 teams, highlighted by Wilkins’ determined kick to reel in three competitors in the last 200 meters. The second junior/senior squad of Helen Holzmann, Gabriella Temps, and Rosie Bradley climbed from 23rd to 15th after Bradley’s strong run as anchor.
Coach Matt Lynde praised the balance and competitiveness of his squads. “We built the teams to mix strengths and experience, and the kids really stepped up,” he said. “To have all four groups finish in the top 15 and bring home medals made for a great start to the season.”
The boys also fielded four teams, two at the freshman/sophomore level and two in the junior/senior division.
In the freshman/sophomore race, Mathias Holzmann, Sean Kim, and Kai Kemeza finished 15th among 95 teams, with Kemeza running a tactical anchor leg that moved the team up several places. Harvard’s second freshman/sophomore team—middle schoolers Ben Stephan, Anderson Baedorf Kassis, and Callan Slavin—gained valuable experience in their first major meet, showing poise against older competition, coach Marisa Steele told the Press.
The junior/senior race proved both promising and frustrating. Ominous clouds threatened as the race got underway. The team of Harrison Binnick, Shea Van Cleef, and Liam Kemeza was in fifth place when lightning forced officials to halt the race just 200 yards from the finish. Bromfield chose not to field its second team. Instead, senior member Cole Maddalone ran a solo 1.5-mile leg, while seniors Ben McWaters and Christian Johannesen, who otherwise would have joined him, were held out to recover from minor maladies.
From left: Callia Sintros, Grace McWaters, Lotus Simms, Yana Li, and Gina Moussouris pose with their medals at the cross-country relay races in Highland Park, Attleboro, Saturday, Sept. 6.
Coach Steele was upbeat despite the storm-shortened finish. “Our guys were holding their own against some of the biggest programs in the state, which is exactly where we want to be,” she said. “Seeing Harrison, Shea, Liam, and Kai all run splits within a few seconds of each other bodes really well for championship season.”
Both coaches agreed the relays were a valuable test and an encouraging start to the season. “It was hot, humid, and stormy, but the kids raced tough and had fun,” Lynde said. Steele added that with McWaters and Johannesen set to return this week, the boys will be at full strength for Friday’s home meet against league rival Advanced Math and Science Academy.
MSTCA XC relay results, Attleboro, Sept. 6
Girls freshman/sophomore 4.6-mile
Team A: Grace McWaters, Callia Sintros, Gina Moussouris, 11th place, 34 minutes, 43.55 seconds
Team B: Kylie Nguyen, Chloe Bradley, Yana Li, 15th, 34:56.05
Girls junior/senior 4.6-mile
Team A: Christina Kekis, Jacquie Wilkins, Abby Wool, 14th, 31:31.50
Team B: Helen Holzmann, Gabriella Temps, Rosie Bradley, 15th, 31:32.61
Boys freshman/sophomore 4.6-mile
Team A: Mathias Holzmann, Sean Kim, Kai Kemeza, 15th, 28:44.10
Team B: Ben Stephan, Anderson Baedorf Kassis, Callan Slavin, 35th, 31:16.34
Boys junior/senior 4.6-mile
Team A: Harrison Binnick, Shea Van Cleef, Liam Kemeza, 5th when race was canceled
Incomplete team: Cole Maddalone (solo, 1.5-mile leg)
