WAKEFIELD — The Wakefield High girls’ cross country team hosted Wilmington on Tuesday with a league championship on the line.
After a hard-earned 20-40 victory, the Warriors completed their regular season with a record of 6-0 and a 2023 Middlesex League Freedom Division title.
“Our girls showed up to compete,” said Wakefield head coach Karen Barrett.
Junior Lily Sallee was the best runner on the course Tuesday, her personal record time of 18:41 good for 1st overall by far, topping previously undefeated Addy Hunt of Wilmington who was 2nd in 19:28.
“Lily had the race of her career,” said Barrett. “She went out fast, pulled away on the Kelly Trail and never looked back. She ran so strong, controlled and confident. I was really proud of her effort and mental toughness. Amazing performance.”
Also having the best race of her career according to Barrett was junior Grace Brackett who was 3rd overall in another PR of 19:38, a full minute faster than her previous personal best.
“Grace ran so strong and was a fierce competitor, pulling ahead of Wilmington’s number 2 runner with about a mile to go,” said Barrett.
Keeping up the trend of personal bests was Wakefield’s 3rd and 4th finisher, sophomore Liza Bangston (19:52) and senior Charlotte O’Neil who took 4th and 5th overall, both beating Wilmington’s No. 2 runner to the finish line.
“Both girls raced so hard and pulled away from Wilmington No. 2 with about 600 meters to go and finished really strong,” said Barrett.
Senior Julia Welch finished Wakefield’s scoring with a 21:14 and senior Lexi Yianacopolus also beat Wilmington’s 3rd finisher in 21:49.
“My girls ran the best race of the season so far under the most pressure,” said Barret. “They are a really special group of girls that work so hard and hold each other accountable to be a championship team. As a coach, I couldn’t be more proud of their effort, attitude and mental toughness.”
The Warriors will now shift their focus to the Middlesex League Meet, which will take place on Monday at Woburn Country Club.