Mascoma Cross-Country Team Nabs First NH State Title

MANCHESTER, NH — Mascoma Regional High School’s Boys Cross-Country team has won its first New Hampshire Division 3 state championship after topping runners from 35 schools last week.

The race, which occurred Friday at Derryfield Park in Manchester, saw senior Gunner Currier finish second overall with a time of 16:52.00, about 10 seconds behind the overall winner. It is the best finish for a Mascoma runner in the school's history.

Sophomore Carl Russell (11th, 18:27.14), Senior Brody Albanese (20th, 18:59.68), Sophomore Karson Rogers (21st, 19:06.11), and Senior Trevor Maheu (29th, 19:31.29) rounded out Mascoma’s top five scorers. Senior Brayden Cilbrith and first-year student John Runnion-Bareford also competed.

"The boys came into the season knowing they were the favorites for this season, which can come with a lot of pressure, but it didn’t seem to faze them a bit," Coach Rick Currier said. "They loved knowing people were watching us this season and having the target on their backs.

Currier continued: "I am incredibly proud of how hard [the team] worked when they could have just rested on their laurels. They wanted this, worked for this, and earned this every step of the way."

The Cross-Country title comes weeks after Mascoma’s bass fishing team won its second consecutive state title.

"It’s been quite an October. Mascoma is becoming the Home of Champions,” Athletic Director Stephen Stebbins said. "It is exciting that our seniors ended the season with a title. And we’re excited for the future with three returning champions next year."

Mascoma runners will participate in the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association Cross-Country Meet of Champions on Saturday in Hudson.