The Girls’ Cross Country team is determined to bounce back after a challenging 1-2 start to their season. 

  The team is led by senior captains Emma Boldi, Madison Gibeau-Schmitt, Nicolle Sofronas, and Lily Williams, and coaches Cara Malio, Stephanie Dalton, Deb Persson, and Mason Tosch.

 “Our varsity runners are all very strong athletes.  Our record (1-2) doesn’t show how good we are.  A testament to our speed and depth is that our top five runners all medaled at the Frank Kelley Invitational last Saturday.  Our league is really strong this year,” said Malio.

  Looking ahead, the team will be celebrating its eleven seniors on Tuesday as they run for the final time at Bradley Palmer in their last home meet of the season.  For many of these seniors, this race will be a culmination of all their hard work over the past four years.

 As a coach, Malio is known for her ability to motivate her team.

  “We all are going to feel nervous before a race,” she tells her runners. “Remember that feeling shows you that you care.  When you’re racing, remember that the discomfort of running hard will be over as soon as the race ends.  Embrace it, and you’ll see huge improvements.” 

​  Events like these are causing members to reflect on team traditions. They create a lasting bond across all grades and a sense of community, and are the reason athletes return year after year.  

  “My favorite tradition is our last full-team practice before NECs. We play an annual game of capture the flag, upperclassmen vs. underclassmen, and it’s always competitive, fun, and full of laughter,” said Boldi.“It’s the perfect way to end the regular season, take our minds off the pressure of the upcoming races, and just enjoy being together as a team. For a lot of runners, this practice happens right before their last race of the season, so it feels extra special to share that moment together and celebrate how far we’ve come.”  

  When it comes to size, Masco consistently fields one of the biggest teams in the league. The team’s running abilities range from people who have never run before to people who can run 5-6 miles.  

  “The most rewarding part of coaching is seeing the growth the girls make in their running.  Some get faster, some get stronger, some learn to love it.  Whatever that growth may be for each girl, it’s a special thing to be a part of,” said Persson.

  The upcoming meets include next Wednesday at Beverly, Wednesday October 15 at Salem, and home vs Peabody on October 20 to wrap up the regular season.