The Exeter High School girls cross country team isn’t simply winning, they’re making history. They clinched the New Hampshire Meet of Champions team title on Saturday, November 7, at the Hopkinton Fairgrounds, stacking up an incredible 56 points, leaving Hanover in second with 81 points. This team is absolutely rolling, and they’re locked in for the New England Championship race next weekend in Belfast, Maine.
Exeter’s Historic Run Continues
This Meet of Champions win wasn’t a fluke; it’s a testament to the consistency this Exeter squad has shown all season. Seniors Lexi and Bri Paterna were phenomenal, finishing second and third overall, respectively, pushing the pace from the front. Lexi crushed the course in 17 minutes, 15.2 seconds, with Bri right behind her at 17:47.1. But this wasn’t just about two stars. Exeter’s depth was on full display with all five of their scoring runners landing in the top 26. Seniors Izzie Bremer (13th, 18:59.9) and Molly Kells (20th, 19:26.6) came up big, and junior Lena McRae rounded out the scoring in 26th place (19:41.4). Even their non-scoring runners, junior Ashleigh MacEachern (27th) and senior Austin Williams (30th), finished within the top 30.
Coach Jeff Moretti couldn’t have put it better, saying, “This was one of our best team races this year and in the last few years. To have all seven girls running for one another and finish within the top 30 really made a difference and helped Exeter secure the win.” That kind of team effort, with everyone stepping up, is what makes a championship squad.
Oyster River Advances, Exeter Boys’ Tough Break
While the Exeter girls were celebrating, the Oyster River squad also had a strong showing, with both their boys’ and girls’ teams punching their tickets to the New England Championship. For the Oyster River girls, junior Olivia Kavanagh was electric, finishing sixth overall in 18:28.9. Teammates Haley Bezanson (15th), Madelyn Cook (28th), Corina Sietz (43rd), and Jillian Williams (61st) all competed hard to help secure their fourth-place finish with 129 points, earning them a spot at New Englands.
On the boys’ side, Oyster River finished fourth with 157 points, led by senior Oliver Lehman’s 10th-place performance (15:49.7). Levi Clapp (22nd) and Brendan Banafato (23rd) were right there too, giving the Bobcats three runners in the top 23, enough to qualify. Hanover took the boys’ title with 47 points. Unfortunately for the Exeter boys, they finished a heartbreaking seventh with 201 points, just missing out on a New England berth. Junior Logen Poteet led them with a 19th-place finish (16:11.4), but it wasn’t quite enough to crack the top six.
New England Championship: The Real Showdown
Now, the stakes get even higher. Exeter girls and Oyster River boys and girls are heading to Belfast, Maine, for the New England Championship race. This isn’t just a regional meet; it’s where the best of New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Vermont will clash. For Exeter girls, coming off a historic win like this, the momentum is undeniable. Can they keep this incredible run going against the top talent from across New England? This next race isn’t just another competition, it’s a chance to cap off what’s already been an unforgettable season with even more glory. Get ready!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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