MVC 2019 XC Conference Championship Recap via BSR

Conference Championship Weekend is here. Saturdays are for the boys and girls. Today my goal is to cover three conference meets: Merrimack Valley, Bay State Conference & Cape Ann League.

I’ll be starting my day traveling to the 978 - home of the Defending Boys Varsity Merrimack Valley (MVC) Champions, the Lowell Red Raiders. This race will certainly feature some talented teams and individuals.

Pulling into the parking lot, the ambiance was picturesque. With fall in the air, the Department of Parks & Recreation was conducting last minute touch ups on the course, and the concession stand was starting to set up. I am even more ecstatic when I hear they have donuts and hot chocolate! We are off to a good start.

My concern for this meet was how the varsity races would play out. With the boys, it was all about the home team. Where are Lowell’s David Yandi, Joben Jacobs, Kelvin Santana, and Ricky Thine relative to the rest of the field? Does senior Jack Blickser from North Andover and the duo from Methuen - Freddy Coleman & Xavier Meitiver - stand a chance? Where does Aidan Hennessy from Chelmsford finish? Those are all big questions as the boys toe the line.

For the girls race, there are also a lot of topics to discuss. The talented duo from Billerica - Nicole Anderson & Hannah Doherty - were favorites to finish high in this race. The team battle, featuring Billerica, would also include North Andover and their pack led by Abby Mastromonco. Where will Slap Mirambeaux from the host team be with 400 meters to go? After her performance at Catholic Memorial, how does the talented freshman from Haverhill Finleigh Simonds, compete against the experienced upperclassmen? Last but not least, where does Makayla Paige fair, monitoring her progress this season? Track is one thing, but cross country is always a mystery, no matter who you are.

As beautiful as it is, the course - like any good XC venue - has its intricacies. Rolling and ascending hills, a woody loop, and some nice straights are areas to take advantage of if you ever have the luxury of running at Shedd Park. The boys race was everything the coaches and fans expected in the first mile and a half. Lowell’s top five were fighting and establishing positions, mixed in with Central Catholic’s duo of James Pothier and Matthew Giannasca. Methuen’s Xavier Metivier, North Andover’s Jack Blickser, Billerica’s Brandon Marion and Aidan Hennessy from Chelmsford were all close by in the chase pack.

Over the next half of the race, it became a three man contest between Jacobs from Lowell, North Andover’s Blickser, and Methuen’s Metivier. The last 600 yards, coming out the woody section, saw Jacobs separating from his rivals and leading Lowell to 98 straight wins in the Merrimack Valley Conference with a blistering time of 16:22. Despite some good races and packs developing throughout the top 25, Lowell would cruise easily to the MVC 2019 Championship, scoring 41 points while placing seven in the top 21 runners.

With the boys results still flowing fresh through my mind, I was walking from the finish line to the start, hoping to catch the last few run outs before the girls race was underway. I caught eye’s with Nicole Anderson, the Vanderbilt commit from Billerica, and we both gave each other a knowing recognition. As I focused on getting my equipment set up for the race, Nicole commenced to warm up with her teammates, including the future Riverhawk Hannah Doherty. The Billerica girls looked focused, and that would prove to be the theme of the race.

Right from the gun, Tewksbury’s phenom Makayla Paige set the tone, leading a tight pack including the senior duo from Billerica (Doherty & Anderson), the North Andover tandem (Mastromanco & Kvaternik) and Lowell’s Mirambeaux - all in the mix early on.

For at least a solid mile, that remained the lead pack. The race began to unfold with 2000m to go, where we saw Doherty & Anderson from Billerica rely on their veteran status and stretch out their lead to secure 1-2 finish. Despite some really tough races in the next 15 or so spots, the two low sticks would be enough to secure the 2019 MVC Championship for Coach Hagan and the ladies from Billerica.

Despite all the awesome competition, I got to see first hand why Lowell is such a special community. Alums like Alex Rodriguez, Oliva Sheffield, Kaley Richards, and Carlos Rivera joined head Football Coach Dave Casey in supporting the hometown XC team. Salute to the Parks Department to make the course at Shedd Park looking amazing.

While this meet answered some questions, it did little to set aside expectations. There will be lots of noise made from the MVC - both as teams and individuals - when it comes to the EMass Meets at Wrentham on November 9th.

Nicole Anderson Post Race interview:

MVC Boys Finish

Q&A with Nichole Ferguson

Sorry for the delay been over several months since the last time I posted. However it’s the start of the XC season and I have some interviews already done just needed to update the site lol. In short as a coach/runner I am always looking for inspiration and motivation.

Besides my passion in coaching I have another job as a Benefit Specialists for the (BTUHWF) Boston Teachers Union Health & Welfare Fund. My job is to process the all teachers, and paraprofessionals dental and vision benefits. The eye care center is located adjacent to my office, as a runner it’s only natural you connect with other runners because you share the same interests. My colleague Nichole Ferguson works in the eye care center. Nichole has been putting in some serious work in regards to her mileage and she just recently completed the Boston Marathon, her story and journey is one that I would like to share hopefully it inspires you like it did me.

DATG: Hey Buddy thank you for your participation, lets start with your age and where you are from ?

NF: My name is Nichole Ferguson, I’m 31 and from Dracut Ma

DATG: You mentioned to me in the past you had sickness or diagnosed with ? Can you please remind me what that was and how that motivated you to start running ?

NF: I was diagnosed with MS in 2004 when I temporarily lost my vision. The statistics can be disheartening to look at- unfortunately a lot of people with this disease may eventually end up with mobility issues. I ran as fast and as far as I can to prove I will not be one of those statistics.

DATG: Did you play a sport in Highschool if so what ?

NF: In high school I played soccer. I can’t say it was the beginning of my running career though- I actually played goalie and spent most of my time in the net!

DATG: When did you start running ?

NF: I didn’t start running until XXXX. A friend challenged me to run a half marathon- I instantly became addicted!

DATG: What’s your favorite trainer shoes and race shoes ?

NF: The ONLY shoes I will wear are the Saucony Guide series. I suffer from plantars fasciitis, so these are the perfect for me.

DATG: How has running changed your life ?

NF: Running has changed my life because it has made me significantly healthier. I tend to treat my body a little better. I sleep more since rest is important for recovery and eat better, because food is the fuel for my workout

DATG: How many races have you ran so far ? What’s your favorite distance to race at ?

NF: I’ve run 10 marathons so far, and probably a dozen half’s and 10ks. I’m definitely a distance runner, and prefer the mental and physical challenges- shorter races (5ks) are just not for me!

DATG: What was your goals for Boston Marathon 2018 ? After smashing these goal describe that feeling when your own boylston street and crowd is cheering ?

NF: I had to adjust my goals for Boston in light of the weather and was aiming for anything under 4 hours. I don’t think anyone will ever be able to find words that accurately describe the rush a runner gets when turning on to Boylston and seeing the finish line. Months of hard work and sweat go into that very moment. Knowing that Thousands of complete strangers stood out in the cold rain that day to support and The emotions are overwhelming, especially with complete strangers standing in the cold pouring rain to cheer you on!

DATG: What’s next race on your calendar ?

NF: I decided to take a month off...I will start training again the end of June for the Baystate marathon in Lowell in the end of October. It’s one of the flattest courses around and where I’ve gotten my PR twice. Fingers crossed for good weather!!

I am going to be looking forward to Nichole crushing more miles and inspiring us all ! My colleague is the true definition the living example of Dreams Are Tangible Goals.