Deerfield Boys and Nottingham Girls Claim Southeast League XC Titles
By Erik Travis
Picture-perfect fall weather greeted runners from seven area schools at Coe-Brown Northwood Academy on Thursday, October 15, for the Southeast Middle School Cross Country Championships. With temperatures around 60 degrees, Deerfield Community School claimed the boys’ team title, while Nottingham School took home the girls’ championship over the 3K course.
Boys Championship
Three Rivers eighth grader Myles Bilodeau wasted little time taking control of the boys’ race, asserting himself at the front within the opening 800 meters. Bilodeau went on to claim the individual title in 11:00.5, nearly 40 seconds clear of the field.
Behind Bilodeau, Deerfield established an imposing early advantage in the team competition, with four runners occupying second through fifth at the 1K mark. Barrington steadily gained ground over the final 2K, reducing Deerfield’s 31-point lead to 12 by the finish. Deerfield’s strong start held up for a 29–41 victory.
Eighth grader Liam Palmer led Deerfield with a runner-up finish in 11:39.6, followed by fifth grader Darian Goss in third (12:06.2). Leo Ringlein (6th) and Ryder Sanford-Severance (7th) gave Deerfield four of the top seven finishers. Barrington was led by Rowan Slosser (4th, 12:12.7) and Sonny Townsend (5th, 12:18.6), with Levi Travis (9th) and Colin Mazurkiewiecz (10th) also cracking the top ten. Three Rivers finished third (78), followed by Nottingham (111), Epsom (135), and Northwood (165).
Girls Championship
Nottingham eighth grader Carli Anzelmo followed a similar script, taking charge within the first 800 meters and racing to the individual championship in 12:41.8. Barrington sixth grader Natalie Drake took second (13:02.0), with Nottingham sixth grader Catherine Boulter third (13:17.6).
Nottingham also seized the early team advantage, leading Barrington 34–59 at the 1K mark. Barrington cut the gap almost in half over the final 2K, but Nottingham held on for the championship, 37–50. Three Rivers was not far behind in third with 56 points.
Avery Dunnigan finished sixth (13:44.8), giving Nottingham three runners in the top six, while Evelyn Salge (13th) and Hattie Holt (14th) rounded out its scoring five. Barrington’s Matilda O’Connor placed fourth (13:32.5), and Three Rivers sixth grader Havanna Hawkins finished fifth (13:38.4). Deerfield took fourth (115), followed by Northwood (133), Epsom (169), and Strafford (185).
A special thanks to Coe-Brown Northwood Academy for hosting another well-organized championship meet and providing a great experience for the athletes, coaches, and spectators.
Could the Southeast League Sweep the State Championships?
The New Hampshire Middle School Division Championships are coming up Saturday, October 24 at Hopkinton Fairgrounds, and the Southeast League has a chance to make some noise. Barrington figures to contend in both Division III team races, with strong competition expected from programs including Hopkinton. Meanwhile, Deerfield’s boys and Nottingham’s girls will look to carry their SEL titles into Division IV.
Individually, Three Rivers’ Myles Bilodeau and Nottingham’s Carli Anzelmo look like state-title favorites, while Deerfield’s Liam Palmer should be in the mix near the front. Four team titles and multiple individual crowns for the SEL? We’ll find out Saturday!
