Connolly, Rocha rule Division 1 races

By Mary Albl for DyeStat

GARDNER, Mass. --  Natick's Grace Connolly added a Massachusetts All-State title to her growing and quite impressive resume Saturday at the Gardner Municipal Golf Course. The sophomore clocked 18 minutes, 27 seconds on the 5,000 meter course as she cruised to her first Division 1 MIAA crown, winning by nearly a minute. 

"We came up the first hill and I looked when I came around the turn, and they were pretty far behind me," Connolly told the Boston Globe. "I knew I just had to keep my pace. I knew they could come up at any time, but I just focused on my splits at that point."

Connolly, who will race at the Northeast Foot Locker Championships next Saturday at Van Cortlandt Park in New York, had the fastest time of the day by any female. 

Runner-up was senior Margot Ehrenthal of Concord Carlisle in 19:25.00, while sophomore Sophia Jacobs-Townsley of Amherst was third (19:30).

Lexington won the D1 team title with 87 points, runner-up was Lowell (158). 

In the girls Division 2 race,  junior Bridget Mitchell of Milton captured first place in 19:15, leading her team to the crown with 48 points. 

Ashley Walker of Westwood was second (19:24), while Tewksbury Memorial finished runner-up as a team with 84 points. 

Peabody senior Marcelo Rocha won the Division 1 title in 15:38, clocking the fastest time of the day. Rocha, who was runner-up last year, finished 10th at the Northeast Foot Locker Championships a year ago. 

In the battle for second, St. John's Prep Tristan Shelgren beat out Brookline sophomore Lucas Aramburu, both finishing with 15:59 for time. 

In the team race, Wellesley finished with 76 points to edge out Lowell (882) for the title.

Senior Jack Carleo of Newburyport claimed the Division 2 title in 16:20.Nico Agosta of Parker Charter was second (16:25). Hopedale won the team trophy with 98 points.