Hanover’s Ben Groves won the 5K race at Friday’s Mill Riverside Invitational in Jericho, Vt., and four other Bears finished in the top six to lead Hanover to victory over five other teams.
Groves finished in 15 minutes, 51 seconds out of a the field of 63 runners and was followed by teammates, Isaac McNaughton (third), Dylan Farist (fourth), Teddy White (fifth) and Oliver Collins (sixth).
The Hanover girls had six runners finish in the top 15 out of 26 athletes, led by Aria Deeb in second place and Alice Bell in sixth. Teammates Ari Hirschler (12th), Mia Sverrild (13th) Olivia Hanissian (14th) and Grace Stewart (15th) also posted top finished for Hanover. The girls were edged by Essex in the team scores, 35-36.
Hanover coach Eric Picconi called it a “unique race” with the boys and girls in the top-seeded category starting together.
“The boys faced Vermont powerhouse Champlain Valley Union’s limited roster but owned the race from the start to take five of the top six spots,” Picconi said in an email. “It was comfortable, commanding racing earning most boys, from Teddy (White) on down, a fresh set of PRs (personal records).”
The girls did an admirable job going against Essex, Vermont’s dominant team this year, Picconi said.
“The boys in the mixed race made it hard to see competitors and the girls’ pack was unable to attack the Nos. 3 and 4 Essex runners before the finish,” Picconi noted. “They will get another chance against a great team at the New England Championship in Maine a month from now.”
Boys team scores: Hanover 19, Champlain Valley 44, Mount Mansfield 69, Essex 107, South Burlington 60, Burlington 170.
Girls team scores: Essex 35, Hanover 36, Champlain Valley 55.