With six top returning runners, loaded Wachusett girls' XC squad has high expectations
Expectations are usually high at tradition-rich Wachusett Regional, and with the Mountaineers returning six of their top seven runners, this year is no different.
“The girls have come into the season having put in good work during the summer and appear to be in shape and ready to attack the challenges ahead of them,” Wachusett coach Mike O’Malley said. “We’re excited about that. Up to now, this early in the season we’ve been working on their strength and trying to get as connected as possible. We’ve also been working on building the team as a whole, which is so important in the team sport that is cross country. It’s been a good start to the season.”
MORE: Updated Central Mass. girls' cross-country standings
Last year, the Mountaineers, who open their dual meet slate Wednesday at Algonquin Regional, went 5-0 during the regular season and held off the Titans to claim the Mid-Wach A League championship and captured what O’Malley believes was the school’s 20th Central Mass. crown. Wachusett also finished at the Division 1A State Championship. and tied Beverly for 17th at the Division 1 State Meet, with both events at the Wrentham Developmental Center.
“Obviously, I would like to go undefeated in the dual meet season and win the league and District championship again — that would be great,” said senior captain Olivia Pickett, who recently committed to run cross country and track at Holy Cross. “I’m just really excited for the season and I hope the team does really well. I think we’re just looking to continue that (success).”
“I have a lot of them,” replied senior captain Ashlynn Witt when asked what her goals are for the team while pretty much echoing Pickett. “I’d like us to place in the top three at states.”
O’Malley, who is assisted by Pat Bova, said there are a number of runners pushing to be in the top 12.
Along with Pickett and Witt, cracking the top echelon are their classmates Lena Takahashi, Madi James and Kaitlyn Litwinetz.
“Each of them brings three years of experience of training and competing in the team’s biggest moments over those years to the team this season,” O’Malley said. “They each have had their own unique experiences during their time in the program covering many aspects of the sport, which helps us have a good balance overall.”
Witt credits O’Malley, who has been the Mountaineers’ longtime indoor and outdoor track coach, for their success. O’Malley has had difficult shoes to fill, replacing two legendary cross-country coaches in Larry Jaquith (girls) and Brian Wallace (boys).
“Throughout my four years here, he gets more and more dedicated to the team,” said Witt, who ran cross-country and track at St. Peter-Marian as a seventh and eighth grader before transferring to Wachusett for her freshman year. “His strategies and methods he teaches us with mental toughness and mental strength is making our team better and stronger as individual runners.”
Wachusett’s junior contingent includes Meghann Jones, Marley Morlini, Madigan Longley, and Verena Welch. O’Malley said they bring another level of experience and leadership to the team.
The sophomores are led by Katie Robinson, Elisa Narain and Rebecca Hlavacheck, who look to continue building off their successful first season in the program and blend together within the varsity group.
Rising freshmen include the trio of Lillian Cutler, Madilyn Mulroy and Anna Namiotka.
“We are looking to these three along with their six other freshmen classmates joining us for the season to have some fun and find their roles within our team’s atmosphere,” O’Malley said.
Witt, a two-time T&G Super Team All-Star in cross country, is coming off a banner season when she placed fifth at Amherst Invitational, first at the Mid-Wach A Meet, fourth at the CMass. D1 Meet, 17th at the D1A Meet, and 24th at the Division 1 Championships with a personal best 19:04 and was the No. 1 runner from the area.
“This year, I’m really hoping to break 19 minutes,” Witt said. “I really hope at States I come in the top 15, top 20.”
Pickett, whose personal best is 19:15, also hopes to break 19 minutes.
“That would be great,” said Pickett, who tied Robinson for eighth at the CMass. D1 Championships, finished 22nd at the D1A Meet, and 118th at the D1 State Championships. “I would like to run at the All-State Championships. I just want to get there right now.”
Pickett is excited about joining the Crusaders and their new head coach Stephanie Reilly next year.
“That will be sad (leaving Wachusett), but I won’t be far away,” she said. “I really love (Holy Cross). They have the program (Neuroscience and Psychology) I’m looking for. I really love the team. I really liked what they were trying to do there.”
Contact Steve Farley at sports@telegram.com.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: With six top returning runners, loaded Wachusett girls' XC squad has high expectations
