Big Blue XC Opens 2013 Season Against Beverly

The Swampscott High School Cross-Country teams began the dual meet portion of their seasons on Tuesday against the visiting Beverly Panthers at Upper Jackson Park. The Big Blue, consisting of approximately 85 student-athletes from Swampscott High School, left the day with a split: the boys emerged victorious, and the girls fell to the Panthers.

The first race of the day saw the girls take on a deep and talented Panthers squad. Although losing with a score of 17-45, there were many positives on the day for the Big Blue. Sophomore Isabella Kornitsky finished in 4th place overall, with a time of 18:05 over the 2.65 mile course. Junior Alyssa Mauriello followed Kornitsky with a time of 19:06, good enough for 8th place overall. Senior captain Sarah Kelley (12th, 19:51), sophomore Vivien Gere (14th, 20:29), and senior captain Michelle Laconte (20:55) rounded out the scoring for the Big Blue.

The boys took to the race course next, and found themselves in a tight race. Swampscott was led by senior captain Matt Mahoney, who cruised along the course to victory with a time of 14:40. Juniors Bennett Smith (4th, 15:45) and Robert McLaughlin (5th, 16:01), along with senior captain Marco Scibelli (5th, 15:48), provided crucial depth for the Big Blue. The 25-30 victory was sealed by senior captain Noah Conti (10th, 16:30).

The Big Blue next head down to Winthrop on Wednesday, September 18th for a tri-meet against Winthrop and Danvers.