Lexington Captures Both Middlesex League XC Titles via Bay State Running

The setting is the Woburn Country Club. The weather is perfect for cross country racing, and the course features its own unique intricacies: rolling hills, tight turns, and deceiving straightaways. If an athlete is going to make a decisive move, it better be a tactical one.

This was my first time attending the Middlesex League Championship, and I was looking forward to seeing some of my peers, who just happen to be a collection of some of the best coaches in the state. New Hall of Famer Matt Carr of Burlington, the legend Bill Babcock of Lexington and my Foss Family of Coach Perry Pappas of Wakefield and Meet Director/Head Woburn Coach James Fletcher.

As I approach the starting line, I start to see some familiar faces: Rick Kates (the man of many hats) - Executive Director of the MSTCA, Coach of Notre Dame Academy (Hingham) and member of the Foss Running Camp Family. Head Coach of Boston Latin, Michael Meagher, served as the head referee of the meet, and never fails to start his conversation with me, "What's up big guy?" I feel this is a common phrase heard by many coaches in Massachusetts. However, I also think Coach Meagher wanted to get another look at the Lexington Girls as his BLS girls will battle against them on November 9th for the Emass Divisional 1 Title. We are officially in the postseason! Coaches and runners are waiting for results and gearing up for their respective Divisional meets, almost like its Christmas.

The girls race had many storylines that I was eager to see. How does the Winchester duo of Lizzy Reynolds and Ella Aldrich compare to the Lexington pack of Dana Ofek, Mirra Payson, and Pauline Steines. Melrose's senior duo of Alex Cotugno and Katie Duffy, and the talented freshman from Arlington Simone Harrison all seem to be in the mix for individuals. And, despite a fairly down year, don’t count out any of the hometown Tanners.

Working my way to the starting line, I was enjoying the meanest chocolate chip cookie I’ve had in a long time, complemented by a small hot chocolate. Salute to arguably the best concession stand this Championship Weekend, as the Woburn Boosters/Families had the spread to die for. I am content, and now looking at the athletes getting in their last strides. The official’s voice echoes, "2 more minutes" across the first fairway. At this stage different teams are having group huddles, and I’m seeing several packs of girls leaning in a circle, quiet and composed. I believe the team component will be the theme of today’s race.

As the gun goes off, Winchester’s Lizzy Reynolds established the lead from the start, Lexington’s top 5 immediately tuck in to a tight pack, and mixed in with them were the Melrose and Woburn girls. It is truly commendable to see a runner take it from the gun, pace a race for well over two miles, but Reynolds could only hold on for 4,995 meters. Lexington’s Danna Ofek closed hard in the last 1000m, and caught Reynolds at the line, defending her Middlesex League Championship with a photo finish ending. Ofek registered a time of 19:25, Reynolds finished in 19:26.57, and the stellar frosh Payson from Lexington finished third with a 19:26.98. The Lexington girls team cruised easily to win the The Bill O’Connor Girl's Race, and are set up well for the Divisional Meet November 9th.

Before the John DiComandrea Boy's Varsity Race, I made another stop at the concession stand, this time for some delicious white chocolate chip macadamia cookies. However, I knew the real treat was coming up next. Many of the student athletes competing in the Boy's Varsity race are athlete's that I have developed a rapport with over the last four years, whether it be from Foss Running Camp or Bay State Running. As much as I wanted to enjoy a good competitive race, I had some unanswered questions. One of the biggest was figuring out just how healthy Lexington junior Nick Porter is. We have a lot of kids that could win today, starting with Lexington's seniors Micah Benson and Adam Bernstein, Junior James Johnson from Burlington, the senior duo from Wakefield Matt Roberto and Tanner Jellison, and Woburn's own Alex Cravens. There were a lot of athletes in the mix for the individual title.

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With last years featured talents like Ryan Oosting and Rishab Parkash gone, this left the door open for a potential upset, and Coach Babcock even opined, "Any kid could win today". From the start of the race Matt Roberto from Wakefield dictated the pace with Micah Benson from Lexington and Alex Cravens from Woburn, bringing the crowded group through the mile in about 4:58. The golf course had it's twist and turns, and fittingly, so did the race. After the mile, the lead pack started paying a little for the early pace, and new faces emerged from the crowd. Stephen Carvalho from Belmont, followed by Bernstein from Lexington and Johnson from Burlington. In the end, Carvalho held on to win the individual title in close with a time of 16:09, ahead of Adam Bernstein with a time of 16:10 and James Johnson with a time of 16:11. Wakefield's Tanner Jellison had the kick of the day, as he was sitting in ninth or tenth but blasted the last 200 meters to earn fourth overall in 16:25. The Lexington Boys easily won the team title scoring 36 points and placing 2-6-8-9-11.

In conclusion, thanks to Coach Fletcher for the invite. I believe the late, great Coach O'Connor would be proud of how he conducts the meet year in and year out. Nerveless, The Lexington program looked solid in all races and will be competing respectively for a Division I title in both genders. I especially loved the story of Stephen Carvalho, the underdog, who beat the favorites and who will make his bid as an All-State qualifier along with Alex Cravens and the rest of the Woburn team in the Division 2 meet. The talented team from Wilmington measured their efforts today and feel they match up well against Newburyport in the Division 5 meet. Lastly, Wakefield’s Roberto and Jellison will be amongst the top runners in Division 3.

Personally, I cannot wait for November 9th!

Dreams Are Tangible Goals

Coach H

Q&A with @Coachladd #FearTheFlannel #HollistonTFXC #GiddyUp

I am a very fortunate in my short coaching career of 5 years that I have met some of the best an amazing individuals that keep the sport of running alive and vibrant here in Massachusetts. 3 years ago I started my position at the Head Coach of the BPS(Boston Public Schools) City Wide team. My first experience meeting Coach Aaron Ladd was an intimidating one from a distance, honesty is the best policy, he was coaching at the time with Lexington Boys XC team a perennial program here in Massachusetts. Before I even got to shake the man's hand I just saw a School Flagged being waved vigorously side to side before the Emass Divisional meet in 2015, I was amazed. I had never seen a XC program with so much school spirit and at the helm of the charge was this man with sun glasses on. My first time as a HC at Emass Divisional 1 XC meet here in 2015 I thought I was a football game the intensity was unmatched. 

Moving forward I got to interact with Coach Ladd over the last three years, from his enrollment to organizing the High School segment for the New Balance Grand Prix here in Boston Massachusetts, to his involvement as Cabin Coach for Foss Running Camp. Now as the head coach of Holliston High School XC & Track Field programs, I am even more proud that I i consider Coach Ladd a friend. Aaron is a class act, one of thee most humble, genuine individuals I have ever met. I was more amazed by Coach Ladd when I attend his house warming this past fall in Ashland, Mass, where he showed me how many races he has ran nation wide and his collection of medals. Coach Aaron Ladd a man of many milestones and achievements in his personal and professional career with a dynamite spouse in Katrina. I wanted to pick the brain of my peer especially after being a Guiding eyes for Blind Boston Marathon runner Thomas Panek. Please check out the article on the NY TIMES, A Blind Runner and his guide dog

DATG: Coach Ladd first and foremost it's truly a pleasure of mine conducting this Q&A, you mean so much to the sport of running here in Massachusetts. When did you fall in love with the sport of running ? How old where you ?

Coach Ladd: My older brother ran Cross Country & Track in high school and is 8 years older than I am, so probably by age 6 I starting Hershey track meets and trying to catch my brother. That's for the activity of running, as a kid the sports of Baseball, Basketball, a little soccer were my real interests. As i've gotten older my interest in Baseball has waned (5 hours for a game?), but I still enjoy watching local teams in hockey, football, basketball. The "sport" or running is a little tougher to describe. To be honest, the sport of running is struggling, as not many people like watch others run. What they, and myself do love is the community of running. Being on a team, building a program, cheering on neighbors and friends at road races, that's really where the love of running has come forward for me. The community of running, is unmatched by any other sport with good people, energetic events and camaraderie, but the sport of running still needs work.

DATG: Lexington is a perennial program here in Massachusetts, Who was your coach ? What was your experience running in the Middlesex League in High School ? What where your events and personal records ? 

Jeff Glew was my high school cross country coach, and Bill Babcock my track coach at Lexington.  I was a perennial improving JV kid to be honest. By senior year I was able to be 5-7th man on league champion cross country team, and ran 4:51 mile scoring some varsity points in track. My best memories of high school track were competitive dual meets with league rivals like Woburn and Reading, where we focused on racing rather than running times. There were some great battles and I remember focusing on giving a 100% effort not on my times, that was the best part of high school track.

DATG:  Where did you attend undergrad ? Did you run in College and if so what events as well as personal records ? 

I went to St. Lawrence University, D3 school in northern NY. Again I was constantly improving from being a back of the pack freshmen walk on to top 3-5 runner my senior year in XC. I never really put together a great track season to be honest, but was proud to run 4:14 for 1500m and 9:20 for 3000m both in the same league meet my sophomore year to help score team points for a conference championship. In XC I ran 26:45 for 8K and was a 1st team league all-star which I am proud of for my senior year.

DATG: What was the most difficult moment in your running career and how did you overcome adversity ?

I can't think of the most difficult moment, sometimes it was just a period of time where lack of motivation has crept in. Changing routines, signing up for a race or getting back to running with others can help with that. I've always just thought of it as a chance to grind it out when you struggle, and realize it takes work. 

DATG: How many races have you ran post undergrad ? Which was the toughest course ? Which was your favorite scenic ?

Too many to count, 100+? Toughest course is subjective, but a marathon along the course of NJ had the toughest conditions 40-50mph head wind the entire way. It wasn't as wet as the Boston Marathon this past weekend, but wind was almost comical at some points, I stopped and sat down at one point to get out of the wind and wait for it to calm down. That day was all about finishing. Most scenic race was definitely the Missoula Marathon in Montana. Starting next to a cattle ranch, with sun rising over 10,000' snow capped mountains, running down a country road, with whitewater river nearby. I've been blessed to have done some amazing races around the country.

DATG: How critical is support from your spouse as a Coach/Runner ?

It helps that she ran high school XC and track and "gets it". She likes running and appreciates the time sacrifices needed to be successful. She's a great cheerleader and has come and supported teams I've coached, a little to the surprise of the kids, but is so important for us to share together.

DATG: What's your diet look like nowadays ? Do you have a cheat day if so ? What's your go to dish ? 

Maybe not as good as it should be, but I try to follow a "triangle" diet for most meals. One protein, one vegetable and one grain/carb. Eat a balanced diet, avoid fried food and keep it simple. I try to know the ingredients in what I eat. Go to dish is definitely pasta. 

DATG:  What's the next race on schedule ? Are you traveling out the country to run anywhere anytime soon ?

I've only ever raced in Canada so no out of the country racing, but this weekend 4/21 i'm off to Olathe Kansas to run the Garmin Marathon, state #25 in my goal to run one in all 50 states. After that it's some short sprint triathlons in June in Massachusetts, a trail marathon in upper peninsula of Michigan in July and then Chicago in October, the real goal race for the year. 

DATG:  How did you meet Thomas Panek ? What that experience serving as guiding eye in the Boston Marathon of 2018 ?

I met Tom, about 30 minutes before the start of the race. Brooks (who i'm a member of their coaching community) was looking for a guide for the 1st half of the race, and living 3 miles from the start line made it easy to coordinate. My parents have raised guiding eyes for the blind puppies for 20+ years and Tom is the CEO of that organization so it seemed like a great connection. I was happy to do it. The experience was memorable to say the least. Tom and I were quickly able to bond and learn the procedures for guiding during the traffic of other runners during the race, there is a lot of mutual trust that is built instantly when I realize i'm responsible for his safety and he needs to trust my vision. Tom summed it up best after the race via text "If a blind man can run a marathon through this weather, make sure to not accept any excuses from your high school runners"

DATG: What does the Future behold of Aaron Ladd ? 

Other than upcoming races and travel, just work and coaching. Excited to go into year #2 of XC at Holliston. It has been an adjustment leaving my alma mater of Lexington where I coached for 7 years to start coaching at a smaller town where I knew nothing about the community, but have started to build new traditions (Fear the Flannel). Being a 10 minute drive from home though really helps with the balance of work and coaching though. #GiddyUp