Deerfield Cross Country vs. Northfield Mount Hermon @ NMH 11/5/11
Merely a week after a freak snowstorm strangled the Northeast, the sun rose bright and warm over the Pioneer Valley on Saturday and presided over the final dual meet of Deerfield’s 2011 Cross Country season. Deerfield crossed the valley to face off against their old rival, the Northfield Mount Hermon Hoggers, who hosted a great meet despite facing shutdowns earlier in the week due to the impact of the storm. Deerfield capped off the dual meet season with a convincing 24 – 33 win and heads into the New England Championships next week sporting a 6 – 2 record.
Northfield’s course is among the most challenging in New England, so with that – and next week’s championships – in mind, Deerfield’s harriers planned to run comfortably together as a pack and get a demanding hill workout in over the 5k course. Northfield’s #1 runner, Henry Colt, won the race, but Deerfield’s five scoring runners cruised in just behind him and ahead of Northfield’s third runner to seal the victory. Ben Wood ’13 led the way for Deerfield in second once again, followed by the trifecta of Fred Quesada ’12, George Reich ’13, and Robert Beit ’13, who finished virtually shoulder-to-shoulder to capture 4th through 6th place. Reed Horton ’14 rounded out the top five in 7th place. Seniors Brad Marshall and Charlie Wilson ran together to the finish to complete Deerfield’s varsity seven; they finished 10th and 11th, respectively.
With the dual meet season behind them, Deerfield’s cross country team looks now to the New England Championship meet on November 12th. Sights are set on matching or improving on last year’s 2nd place finish, and the field is remarkably even this year. It should be a fun day of distance running! This year’s championships will be held at Phillips Andover Academy; we hope to see all our loyal fans there next week!
