MASSACHUSETTS STATE MEET

Bergeron Rolls To Second State Title, Brookline Boys Lock Down State Title With 54 Points

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Paul Bergeron was back in a big way Saturday and looks ready to make a big push into the postseason.

The Westford Academy distance star claimed his second straight MIAA Meet of Champions title as he covered the 5,000-meter course at Fort Devens to win the Division 1 boys title in a time of 15 minutes, 6.43 seconds. 

Runner-up was Chris Larnard of Boston College High finishing in 15:25.21. 

After being out for part of the cross country season due to injury, Bergeron has come on strong in the postseason as he’ll make another run on Saturday in his home state at Franklin Park (moved from Van Cortlandt Park) at the Foot Locker Northeast Regional Championships. Bergeron, who will attend Stanford next fall, is looking to book a ticket back to the west coast for nationals. 

In the team competition, the national-ranked Brookline boys dominated the field, scoring 54 points. Newton South was second (114 points). Brookline captured the 7-8-9 spots and placed five in the top 18. 

The girls Division I title was won by Aoife Shovlin of Cambridge Rindge and Latin. The junior defended her title in 18:06.3, winning by more than 20 seconds. Second-place finisher Katie Sobieraj (18:29.21) led her team to a state title as Oliver Ames scored 88 points to easily win the D1 crown. 

In Division 2 action, Nashoba senior Adam Balewicz won his first state title as he finished in 15:33.3, winning by 30 seconds. Danver (92 points) won the team title.

In the girls race, Holliston junior Maggie Tuchman rebounded from a third pace finish last week at the Division 2 qualifier to win her first state title in 18:38.71. Wakefield won the girls title with 128 points, with three placing in the top 30. 

The boys Division 3 title went down to the final strides. Littleton’s Tim Rank and Greater Lowell Tech’s Devin Moreau separated themselves and fought to the end, as Rank edged out Moreau by less than two seconds to win the title in 15:44.63. Moreau was right behind in 15:46.19. Northbridge’s Marcus Reilly was third (16:04.7). Parker Charter won the team title with 63 points. 

The girls Division 3 title was also a close race as Pentucket’s Kaylie Dalgar crossed the line in 18:57.12, West Bridgewater’s Ella Danbury was second in 18:59.62 and Oxford’s Cameron Davis was a close third in 19:02.92. In the team race, Bromfield tallied 125 points to secure the title. 

TEAM CHAMPIONS

Division 1: Brookline boys 54 points; Oliver Ames girls 88 points

Division 2: Danver boys 92 points; Wakefield girls 128 points

Division 3: Parker Christian boys 63 points; Bromfield girls125 points