Connolly Leads Natick To Title In Snowy All-State Meet

By Mary Albl of DyeStat 

A snow-filled course Sunday afternoon at Stanley Park in Westfield didn’t stop Grace Connolly from making history. The Natick senior crossed the 5,000-meter course in 18 minutes, 14.28 seconds to win and lead her team to a program-first Division 1 Massachusetts All-State title with 113 points. 

“(The girls) had worked hard this season, and it paid off,” Natick coach Ashley Davidson told the bostonglobe.com. 

Connolly, who is committed to Stanford and ranked No. 6 nationally, won her third All-State title. Margaret Donahue of Wellesley finished second (19:18.98), while Connolly’s younger sister, Kate, was third. Concord-Carlisle placed second as a team with 121 points. 

In the girls Division 2 race, senior Sarah Roffman led her Littleton to a team title as she won in 19:18.51. Littleton scored 81 points as a team.  

Arlington senior Ryan Oosting, No. 4 ranked nationally, continued his impressive season, winning the Division 1 title in 15:52.75. He’s set to run the Foot Locker Northeast Regionals at Van Cortlandt Park this Saturday. The D1 team title went to Concord-Carlisle (73 points). 

In Division 2, Newburyport scored 64 points to claim the program’s first All-State crown. Sam Acquaviva led his team to the historic title as he won the race in 16:33.89. Second place went to Arlington Catholic’s Sean Kay (16:35.71).

Team Champions

Division 1 Boys - Concord-Carlisle 73 points
Division 1 Girls - Natick 113 points
Division 2 Boys - Newburyport 64 points
Division 2 Girls - Littleton 81 points