Meet the 2023 T&G Hometeam high school girls' cross-country Super Team

The Worcester Telegram & Gazette, with the Central Mass High School Sports Awards program, is proud to announce the nominees for the Girls' Cross-Country Athlete of the Year. The winner will be announced during the live show this spring (date and venue to be announced).

During the live show, these nominees will be honored, along with the athletes of the year in 30 other sports. Nominated athletes who RSVP will receive a free ticket to the event thanks to sponsors. Additional tickets may be purchased on the show’s website, which will be coming soon.

The Central Mass High School Awards show is part of the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards, the largest high school sports recognition program in the country. Last year’s show can still be viewed online at this link. This year, one school from the area will win a $1,000 donation to its school’s athletic department. More details on that are coming soon.

Here are the nominees for the Girls' Cross-Country Athlete of the Year:

Rosie Bradley

Bromfield School, Freshman

Bradley got the season off to a great start by placing second at the MSTCA Frank Kelley Invitational. From there she went on to finish 11th at the Central Mass. Division 2 championships and seventh at the Division 3C state meet where, in what was her most memorable moment of the season, the Trojans placed fourth as a team to qualify for the D3 all-state championships. The first freshman across the line, Bradley placed ninth at the all-state meet. In addition to running, Bradley, who is interested in studying nutrition in college, enjoys biking, cooking, hiking, reading, and traveling. She is the daughter of Lisa and Julien Bradley of Harvard.

Georgia Brooks

Groton-Dunstable Regional, Junior

Brooks was once again consistently excellent, placing sixth or better in eight invitational or championship races. This two-time T&G Super Team selection finished first by 15 seconds at the Mid-Wach B championships, sixth at the MSTCA Frank Mooney Coaches Invitational and, in a personal-record time of 19 minutes 2.1 seconds, fifth at the Division 2B state meet. Brooks then took sixth overall and third among Central Mass. competitors at the D2 all-state meet after placing 11th as a sophomore. A two-time USATF National Junior Olympic All-American, Brooks’ most memorable moments of the season were winning her league championship and setting a 5K PR. She is the daughter of Christine and John Brooks of Groton.

Caroline Collins

Nashoba Regional, Junior

It was a thrice-as-nice fall for Collins as she earned her third T&G Super Team selection in as many seasons of cross-country. The Wolves’ junior captain ran a personal-record time of 18 minutes, 26 seconds to take sixth in the MSTCA Twilight Invitational. That was her most memorable moment in a season stocked with superlatives. Collins then took second at the Mid-Wach B championships, the Division 2A state meet – where she led the Wolves to third place in the team standings – and the D2 all-state championships. Collins, whose interests include reading and skiing, aspires to continue her running career at the Division 1 level in college. She is the daughter of Kristen and Fred Collins of Stow.

Cameron Davis

Oxford High, Eighth Grade

Davis made an instant impact in her first varsity season. She set course records at Southbridge and Uxbridge before notching a resounding win at the Southern Worcester County League championships. Davis then placed fifth at the Central Mass. Division 2 meet, second at the Division 3B state championships and seventh overall and second among Central Mass. competitors at the D3 all-state meet, where she posted a personal-record time of 20 minutes, .9 seconds. Her most memorable moments of the season were finishing first at the SWCL and second at the Division 3B state meets. In addition to running, Davis also competes for the Spirit of Liverpool soccer club and plays the piano. She is the daughter of Heather and Jonathan Davis of Oxford.

Abby Flagg

Whitinsville Christian, Eighth Grade

Flagg and finishing first were synonymous in her inaugural varsity cross-country season. She won the Dual Valley Conference, Central Mass. Division 2 and Division 2C state championships in convincing fashion before taking third – as the lone middle-school student in the top 25 – at the D2 all-state meet. Flagg considers her most memorable moment of the season to be a fun-filled overnight trip to Cape Cod to compete in the MSTCA Twilight Invitational, where she placed fifth while leading the Crusaders to the team title. Flagg, who aspires to become a surgeon, also enjoys cooking and drawing in addition to running. She is the daughter of Taryn and Byron Flagg of South Grafton.

Emery Mullen

Shepherd Hill Regional, Senior

Mullen capped her fourth and final season of cross-country by being selected to the T&G Super Team for the fourth time. A two-year captain, Mullen placed fifth at the Martha’s Vineyard Invitational while leading the Rams to second place in the team standings, second at the Mid-Wach A meet as the Rams finished first and 20th at the Division 1C state championships as the Rams took fourth and qualified for the D1 all-state meet. Her most memorable moment of the season was competing with her teammates for a final time at the all-state meet. Mullen will continue her cross-country and basketball careers – she’s a four-year varsity starter and T&G Super Team selection on the court – at Vassar College. She is the daughter of Christina and Martin Mullen of Charlton.

Avery Murphy

Murdock High, Sophomore

Murphy continued to trend upward in her fourth cross-country season. She got off to a sensational start by winning the sophomore race at the MSTCA Twilight Invitational. That proved to be her most memorable moment of the season and her time of 19 minutes, 11.1 seconds over the 5,000-meter course on Cape Cod was a personal record. Murphy then finished first at the Mid-Wach C championships and second at both the Central Mass. Division 2 and Division 3C state meets. In her return to the D3 all-state championships, Murphy finished eighth. That was an improvement of six spots over last season. In addition to running, Murphy enjoys spending time with and caring for her farm animals. She is the daughter of Jennifer and Michel Murphy of Winchendon.

Ella Rogers

Nashoba Regional, Freshman

What a fabulous fall it was for Rogers. She finished 14th overall and first among freshmen in a personal-record time of 19 minutes, 14.5 seconds at the MSTCA Twilight Invitational. That was her most memorable moment of the season as she and many of her teammates celebrated establishing PRs on the 5,000-meter Cape Cod course along with the Wolves’ third-place place showing in the team standings. Rogers went on to place third at the Mid-Wach B championships, sixth at the Division 2A state meet and 21st at the D2 all-state championships. She was the top freshman finisher in all three of those races, as well. Rogers’ hobbies include baking and surfing. She is the daughter of Jacqueline and Christopher Rogers of Stow.

Meghan Stevens

Shepherd Hill Regional, Sophomore

As the stakes steadily grew higher, Stevens consistently ran better. She opened the season with top-20 finishes at the Martha’s Vineyard (11th), Bay State (13th) and MSTCA Twilight (20th) invitationals. Stevens then placed fifth at the Mid-Wach A championships while helping the Rams – in what was her most memorable moment of the season – claim the team title. Stevens went on to place 18th in a personal-record time of 19 minutes, 47.7 seconds at the Division 1C state championships and capped off the season by finishing 58th overall, 18th among sophomores and first on her team at the D1 all-state meet. Stevens, whose hobbies include biking and skiing, aspires to become a cross-country/track coach. She is the daughter of Kim and Mark Stevens of Oxford.

Emma Wierenga

Whitinsville Christian, Sophomore

It was a season filled with individual and team success for Wierenga. She placed second at the Dual Valley Conference championships, fourth at the Central Mass. Division 2 meet and sixth at the Division 2C state championships as the Crusaders were crowned team champions at all three races. She put the finishing touch on a fantastic fall by taking 11th in a personal-record time of 19 minutes, 22.9 seconds to help the Crusaders take second at the D2 all-state meet. Wierenga, whose hobbies include acting and skiing, considers her most memorable moments of the season to be glorifying “God with the gift He has given me” and the deep bond she formed with her teammates/friends. She is the daughter of Alicia and Eric Wierenga of Grafton.

Ashlynn Witt

Wachusett Regional, Senior

Witt was a model of excellence during her four seasons competing in cross-country, each of which ended with a T&G Super Team selection. This two-time captain finished sixth at the MSTCA Twilight Invitational in a personal-record time of 18 minutes, 48.8 seconds. That was her most memorable moment of a season that had plenty of other highlights. She went on to finish first at both the Mid-Wach A and Central Mass. Division 1 championships, 17th at the Division 1A state meet and 39th at the D1 all-state championships. Witt, whose hobbies include hiking and reading, will continue her academic and athletic careers at Quinnipiac University as she pursues a career as a physician assistant. She is the daughter of Susan and Davis Witt of Princeton.

Evelyn Wool

Bromfield School, Sophomore

What a superb sophomore season it was for Wool. She finished eighth at the MSTCA Twilight Invitational, touring the 5,000-meter Cape Cod course in a personal-record time of 19 minutes, 0.38 seconds. That started a string of top-10 finishes for Wool She placed second at the Mid-Wach C championships while leading the Trojans to the team title, third at the Central Mass. Division 2 meet, first at the Division 3C state championships, and fourth at the D3 all-state meet. Wool considers her most memorable moments of the season to be winning the Division 3C state title along with all the support she received from her “amazing teammates.” Wool aspires to pursue a career that will allow her to travel. She is the daughter of Kate and Adam Wool of Harvard.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Check out the 2023 T&G Hometeam high school girls' cross-country All-Stars