Panthers Outrun Warriors in Upset Victory

With all varsity runners lowering their times from last week, some by as much as 30 seconds, the Holliston girls cross-country team (3-3) shocked the league with a 26-29 victory over previously undefeated Medfield (5-1) at home.

    The Medfield Warriors entered the meet ranked 10th in the State Division 2 rankings, and had edged out the Panthers for an All-State bid last year. Although they led early, the Panthers grit and determination in the latter parts of the race helped them come away with a victory.

    Freshman Katie Salley led the way, finishing in second place with a time of 18:01, with senior Jill Rosati two seconds behind her in third. Senior Anna Mannello finished fifth in 18:39, sophomore Virginia Hanstad sixth in 19:01, and senior Kaylee Kozubal continued her sensational return from an early season injury by capturing 10th place in 20:04.

    Medfield tried to take control early, as Rosati, Salley, and Medfield's first two runners went out in 6:12 for the mile. Mannello followed in fifth in 6:24, just ahead of Hanstad and the Warriors #3 and #4 runners. Freshman Sarah Stebbins, passing through in 6:52, was in a pack that included Medfield's 5-6-7 harriers. Kozubal was lurking in the shadows, 15 seconds behind that group.

    But by the time the leaders came back on Marked Tree Road at the 2 mile, the Panthers had made considerable gains, most likely on the long uphill at the midway point of the course. Rosati and Salley were still shadowing Medfield's top runner, but the second Warrior had fallen off the pace, putting the Panther duo in prime position to take two of the top three spots. Mannello had pulled away from the second group, in complete control of fifth place and closing on fourth.

    As any cross-country fan knows, the race isn't over until your fourth and fifth runners come by. At the 2 mile, #4 runner Hanstad had gapped Medfield's 3-4-5, and with four runners in the top six, the Panthers were in good position. Stebbins and a fast-charging Kozubal were running 12th and 13th at the 2 mile.

    Medfield's Ashley Campisano won the race, but mere yards ahead of the dynamic duo of Salley and Rosati. With Mannello and Hanstad finishing 5-6, the Panthers had clinched a win, as the worst they could do would be a 28-29 victory. But no last-minute score checking would be necessary, as Kozubal passed several Warriors the last half mile to finish 10th overall, using her speed that makes her a force to be reckoned with in outdoor track as well.

     Stebbins was 12th overal in 20:22, herself passing Medfield's #7, and Sydney Strzempko continued her climb through the varsity team as the Panthers' seventh runner, finishing in 20:53.

     Holliston has their last home meet Wednesday against Norton, and the girls will travel to the Barnstable Fairgrounds for the Twilight Meet on October 22nd. The meet features some of the best teams in the state. After today's win, the Panthers can include themselves in that category.