Youth Cross Country: Elementary School runners complete another successful year under Coach Chris Tarantino

Twenty-one runners in grades one through five recently completed a challenging, but rewarding season of Youth Cross Country under the guidance of Coach Chris Tarantino.

The program, which is now in its third year, is sponsored by the town’s Youth & Recreation Department. The season, which began on Aug. 28 and culminated on Nov. 14, was highlighted with the 9th Annual Mass. Elementary Cross Country Championships held last Friday (Nov. 10)

This meet included a girls 1st-3rd grade race, a boys 1st-3rd grade race, a girls 4th-5th grade race and a boys 4th-5th grade race. The distances were .66 miles for 1st-3rd graders and 1.17 miles for 4th-5th graders. All the finishers were celebrated, with the top 10 from each race receiving medals for their efforts.

Here is a summary of last Friday’s 9th Annual Mass. Elementary Cross Country Championships, with highlights offered by Coach Tarantino.

Participant/grade/highlights

Aria LoConte/1st grade/youngest athlete, hard worker

AJ Diciero/2nd grade/2nd place – talented first-year runner

Ben Belliveau/3rd grade//9th place – three year veteran

Michael Wheeler Jr./2nd grade/10th place – strong first-year showing

Leo Hobbs/1st grade/youngest male athlete, passion for his sport

Ross Graziose/2nd grade/determined runner

Felipe Frossard/3rd grade/much improved second year

Annalisa Ferrara/4th grade/elite sprinter welcomed new challenge

Blake Willis/5th grade/5th place – program leader, competitive fire

Liam Marcu/4th grade/silent leader, steady talent

Thomas LeBlanc/4th grade/vocal and by example leader

Noah Sewaybrick/4th grade/hardworking, great attitude

Program participants who were unable to attend the meet

Participant/grade/highlights

Sonny LoConte/2nd grade/works hard, has fun

Jimmy McGrath/2nd grade/showed ability

Lily Waters/4th grade/sound leader and runner

Luiz Sena/4th grade/2022 1st place finisher

Alumni of the program who mentored

Naomi Tarantino/6th grade

Connor Waters/6th grade

Coach Tarantino offered a “Shout out” to Coach Scott LeBlanc

See more photo highlights at: www.Facebook.com/advocate.news.ma