Middle School harriers enjoy success in championship meet; volleyball begins playoffs

Middle School cross-country teams among the best at NEC Meet

On Oct. 29, the annual Northeastern Conference Middle School cross-country championship meet took place at Gloucester’s Stage Fort Park, and both Marblehead boys and girls teams turned in exemplary performances to secure first and second place, respectively.

After the Marblehead Veterans Middle School boys and girls cross-country teams distinguished themselves with top finishes at the annual NEC championship meet in Gloucester on Oct. 29, the entire program poses for a victory photo. The boys won the title, while the girls ended up a close second to Beverly. They are, from left, front row, Markie Lillard, Paige Nary, Violet Rowe, Mackenzie Bulger, Caroline Patterson, Harper Vining, Bobby Dowling and Grady Ring, Kelan Carey. Second row, Grant Marston, Trevor Dion, Ryan Koch, Charlie Hogan, Rowan Allen, Harper McCool, Rosie Service, Maris McCreedy, Coco DeMont, Natalie Prindiville, Ruben Gallardo Espinosa, Nathan Megenedy, Miller Casale, Ben Teets and Henrik Carlson. Third row, Eli Winsor, Rhys Donovan, James Jeon, Charlie Sobelman, Vivian Lewis, Natalie Liddell, Andrew Teets, Quincy Bradstreet, Charlie Siragusa, Connor Jackson, Samsun Theabeu, Bolek Ngowe, Toby Belfbecker, Luka Obradovic, Ben Borthwick, Elijah Elesinmogun, Dawson Higgins, Elliot Donato and Lucas Oak. COURTESY PHOTO

“This is the first time that the Marblehead Veterans Middle School boys have won the NEC since 2021,” said coach Kylynn McKinley. “It was an amazing day for both our teams. They each had season-best times, which helped secure their high finishes.”

The boys took four of the Top 10 spots in a field of 176 runners, while the girls had three in the Top 10 in their race that featured 134 participants. Beverly narrowly defeated them in the team results.

Elijah Elesinmogun (third, 11:17), Andrew Teets (fourth, 11:17), Charlie Siragusa (eighth, 11:32), Charlie Hogan (10^th, 11:35), Samson Thebeau (14^th, 11:56), Benjamin Teets (17^th, 12:07) and Rowen Allen (27^th, 12:20) made up the Marblehead boys all-star lineup of runners.

The Marblehead girls were Rosalie Service (second, 12:15), Harper McCool (third, 12:16), Charlie Sobelman (eighth, 12:57), Mackenzie Bulger )20^th, 13:42), Marki Lillard (21^st, 13:48), Natalie Prindiville (23^rd, 14:03) and Vivian Lewis (34^th, 14:32).

Volleyball loses postseason opener to host Dartmouth

The Marblehead High girls volleyball team finished up the regular season with a 13-5 record, and was the 19^th seed in the Division 2 power rankings. As a result, they had to take the long trip to Dartmouth on Nov. 6 to face the Indians (13-7), the 14^th seed, in the Round of 32, where they lost the postseason encounter, 3-0.

Sydney Faris led the team in digs with 12, while Sammy Walker picked up three blocks. On offense, Lila Moniz was credited with nine kills, while Sydney Da Silva was credited with 17 assists and three aces.