![Photo by Andrea Sbona](https://i0.wp.com/newhampshirecrosscountry.com//wp-content/uploads/2015/09/mascenic-homecoming-1.jpg?resize=276%2C300)
On a deceptively warm afternoon Mascenic hosted the first of two home races as part of their Homecoming activities. The action was hot as the weather, as last year’s Division 3 champions and the Divisional Runner-ups faced off for the first time since last year’s Meet of Champions. Derryfield had already seen success in winning the Gilford Early Bird and Mascenic repeated as champions at the Jamie Martin Invite earlier this season. The Conant, Hinsdale and Hillsboro-Deering teams made up the rest of the five way meet.
In the girls’ race, Mascenic’s Sam Bilodeau got off to a quick start, leading from the gun with teammate Maddie Labrie and Conant’s Isabella Mormando. Bilodeau never let off the gas and cruised uncontested to the win in 20 minutes, 37 seconds over the two loop course. She was followed by Mormando 34 seconds in arrears and 36 seconds up on Labrie. Derryfield’s Thalia Speruto and Conant’s Claire Van Houten rounded out the top five. Mascenic was also able to finish in the team race in first behind Bilodeau’s front running, scoring 32 to Conant’s and Derryfield’s 49 points. Hillsboro-Deering came in fourth with 86 as Hinsdale only ran four and could not score.
![Photo by Andrea Sbona](https://i0.wp.com/newhampshirecrosscountry.com//wp-content/uploads/2015/09/mascenic-homecoming2.jpg?resize=300%2C261)
The boys’ race was a barnburner as well with the course record on the line. Avery Traffie took the pace out hard, leading out the starting gate and through the first lap. He was accompanied by teammate Jake Movsessian and Conant’s Dane Seppala. However, the fast pace or warm temperatures took their toll on Traffie, and as the trio returned to the finishing field, Movsessian led Seppala into the final 400 meters after some hard surging with a 1000 meters left. Movsessian took the win in 16 minutes, 36 seconds, a mere 12 seconds off the course record. Seppala was 15 seconds behind that and followed by Traffie 10 seconds later. Filling out the top five spots were Derryfield’s front man Ben Garfield and Mascenic’s #3 DJ Turner.
With six runners in the top ten, and like the Lady Vikings, the men won convincingly, doubling down on the rest of the field with 22 points. Derryfield was second with 50, Conant scored 66, and Hillsboro-Deering finished out the team scoring with 109 points.
2 Responses
Derryfield appears to be running without their #3 and #4 guys at this one. Caleb Richmond had an uncharacteristically bad day. Expect Derryfied to be in the hunt come October. Top three guys (Movsessian, Seppala and Traffie) were going on this one.
Nice progress by the Mascenic girls contingent as well.
Mascenic Boys and Girls teams are strong and deep this year. Mike Smith earned that coach of the year award last year. He has a stable of good runners who enjoyed a well deserved victory. Hot day with a high sky. Tough day for running fast but, they sure did.