Post publication updates:
North Reading Girls’ Cross Country defeats Triton 46-17 (Sept. 24)
North Reading Boys’ Cross Country falls to Triton 34-21 (Sept. 24)
NORTH READING — The North Reading High cross country program began its 2025 season with a solid effort against Essex Tech and a very strong showing against the always-tough Newburyport Clippers.
The girls’ team is led by captains Quinlan Kelly and Riley MacDonald and have 16 team members and the boys’ team is led by captains Nalo Benedict and Connor Abruzzese and have 17 team members.
The Hornets traveled to Danvers on Sept. 10 to take on the Essex Tech Hawks on a tough, hilly, 2.7 mile course. In two very close contests, the lower score winning, the Hornets were able to split with the Hawks, as the girls won 26-29 and the boys lost a heartbreaker by the score of 27-28. On the girls’ side, Quin Kelly started her season off strong with a 1st place, course record effort in a time of 18:25 to pace the crowd. Adelyn Kelly took 2nd place in a time of 19:23 and gave the Hornets an edge in scoring.
The Hawks came back with 3rd, 4th and 5th places but Sophia Garibotto (6th, 20:24) and Riley MacDonald (7th, 21:01) helped close the gap with solid efforts. Bridget MacDonald (10th, 22:34), Chloe DeAngelis (11th, 22:41) and Gabby Montanye (13th, 22:54) closed the door for the Hornet victory.
Verity Modeen (16th, 23:25), Cara Ward (19th, 25:13), Ruby Davidson (22nd, 26:12), Emily Cappella (23rd, 26:47), Ilma Gurda (26th, 32:10), Annalee Miller (27th, 35:47) and Tabitha Begley (28th, 37:16) rounded out the Hornet competitors in the contest.
“This was a great tone setter for the season,” said Hornets head coach Ryan Spinney. “We have a special group and they work hard. This was a tough course and a well earned win today.”
In the boys’ race, Nalo Benedict took the victory in a course record time of 16:31 to pace the Hornets. Jacob Ye (4th, 17:51), Connor Abruzzese (5th, 17:56), Aidan Steele (8th, 18:19), Zachary Mahoney (10th, 18:24), Cole Donahue (12th, 18:34), Jason Hawley (14th, 19:28), Gerard Jorda (15th, 19:32), Mark Sorrenti (20th, 21:00), Hugo DaSilva (27th, 26:07), Cole Verdonck (28th, 26:24) and Declan Goshey (29th, 27:42), rounded out the Hornets who raced. The meet was as close as could be with one point deciding the outcome.
“We raced very well today and the numbers just didn’t fall our way,” said Spinney.
The Hornets opened up their home schedule on Sept. 17 against Newburyport at Harold Parker State Forest. The 3.12 mile course was the home course for the Hornets for a number of years but last year, a course from the high school was given a trial run for a season. Harold Parker State Forest was missed and the Hornets relocated back to the woods for 2025.
In the girls’ race, the Hornets gave the Clippers all they could handle. In the closest race in recent memory, the Clippers squeaked out a 28-29 victory in a real back and forth affair. The Hornets took 3 out of the top 4 spots with Quin Kelly (1st, 20:28), Adelyn Kelly (3rd, 21:56) and Sophia Garibotto (4th, 22:24) leading the way. The Clippers made up ground by capturing places 5-8. Riley MacDonald (9th, 23:28) helped stop the maroon and gold consecutive places but the Clippers proved too deep and took 10th-13th to sneak out with the 1 point victory.
Bridget MacDonald (14th, 24:52), Chloe DeAngelis (15th, 25:00), Gabrielle Montanye (17th, 25:13), Cara Ward (19th, 26:39), Verity Modeen (20th, 26:46), Ruby Davidson (29th, 28:10), Emily Cappella (30th, 28:39), Ilma Gurda (34th, 36:28), Annalee Miller (35th, 38:32), Samantha Mejia (36th, 39:34) and Tabitha Begley (37th, 39:36) rounded out the Hornets in the meet.
“We couldn’t be prouder of the effort these athletes gave today,” said Spinney. “Newburyport has a tremendous program and they always compete hard. We gave them all they could handle today and it was a statement that we are a strong program, too. A 1-point loss today is the catalyst to motivation for the rest of the season.” The Hornets record fell to 1-1 on the season.
On the boys’ side, Newburyport had a very strong race to seal the win by a score of 17-45. Michael Mohoric, a Newburyport senior, broke the course record by 47 seconds in a time of 16:44 to win the race. Nalo Benedict was the top Hornet runner with his 4th place effort in a time of 18:23. Jacob Ye (8th, 20:23) and Connor Abruzzese (10th, 20:29) cracked the top 10 for the Hornets.
Aidan Steele (12th, 20:32), Gerard Jorda (13th, 20:49), Cole Donohue (14th, 20:54), Zachary Mahoney (16th, 21:11), Mark Sorrenti (21st, 21:31), Jason Hawley (23rd, 21:38), Cooper Moscolo (24th, 22:22), Dominic Spada (25th, 22:33), Declan Walsh (42nd, 27:18), James Boesch (43rd, 27:51), Hugo DaSilva (44th, 27:58), Cole Verdonck (45th, 28:51) and Declan Goshey (47th, 31:18) rounded out the Hornets in the race.
“The score does not show it but we had a very good day today,” said Spinney. “Great improvements across the board and lots of strong performances from our athletes. Lots to be proud of and build on.”
The Hornets were back in action for Senior Night on Wednesday after press time against Triton at Harold Parker State Forest.