Medford Runners Win GBL Title

Girls Cross-Country Team Finishes Regular Season Undefeated

– Allison Goldsberry

The Medford High School girls cross-country team has won the Greater Boston League title for the first time in eleven seasons.

The title officially became theirs on Wednesday afternoon with a victory over Cambridge at Fresh Pond.

“Our girls have worked really hard, so we deserve it, and we’re really proud of that,” said tri-captain Breana Callahan, an MHS senior.

Head Coach Lou Ruggiero said the team had great leadership from its senior captains, Callahan, Kat Picarde, and Megan Martignetti.

“The girls did an awesome job this year…’97’s a long time…eleven years.  We’ve been waiting for this,” said Ruggiero.

Assistant Coach Tom Lynch credited the team for working hard all season long in an often grueling sport that demands dedication and perseverance.

“We had a fabulous team- 30-something girls.  All love the sport, ran hard everyday we asked them to run hard.  I’m not surprised they beat everyone in the league.  We’re very happy for them,” said Lynch.

The girls finish up their regular season with a GBL meet with all five teams at Cambridge on Saturday, October 25.  Picarde said the meet will be a tough one and the team will train hard to maintain their dominance of the league.

While the team will be losing key seniors Picarde, Martignetti, and Callahan next year, they have a large group of younger girls who are working hard to keep the team strong, including Erika Silva, Leanne Bordonaro, Bernice Galebach, Heidi Walsh, Nicole Martignetti, Justine Martignetti, Kasey Moran, Mary Barber, Virginia McCart, Lynsie Brogan, Miranda Smith, Rachelle Lewis, Jamie McCarthy, Jolene McGlynn, Victoria Luongo, Bianca Nargi, Maria Voci, Elise Polleys, Alisa Hartnett, Ashley LeBert, Jasmine Etesse, Vanessa Luongo, and Chelsea Hanson.

Below is video of the Cambridge race, boys and girls, and interviews with the coaches and girls’ captains: