BOSTON – The Toll Gate boys and girls cross country teams made their way up to Boston on Saturday, competing in the 62nd Catholic Memorial Invitational. This race was the Titans’ final competition before championship season begins in two weeks’ time.
Toll Gate athletes competed across 5 races on the day. “Everyone ran great,” Head Coach Norm Bouthillier commented. He was happy with the plethora of personal records (PRs) achieved on the hilly 3.1 mile layout at the historic Franklin Park.
In the Girls Varsity race, the standout performer for the Titans was senior Alison Pankowicz, who secured 2nd place in a talented field. Pankowicz was running fifth for most of the race, making her move with a half mile to go where she showcased her elite finishing kick. She set a PR in the 5k at 19:00, and is considered among the favorites to win the state meet at Ponaganset High School on November 4th.
In the Boys Varsity Silver race, juniors John Maynard (6th) and Joshua Maynard (9th) led the team finishing at 16:56 and 17:08, respectively. Both achieved PRs. Senior Rhontahn Vega and sophomore William Goodine finished 39th and 41st, respectively, followed by sophomore Oisin O’Donnell in 56th. Sophomore Jake Anderson and junior Alex Balbuena rounded out the team in 80th and 81st, with Balbuena setting a PR at 20:22. Toll Gate placed 6th out of 15 teams.
Earlier in the day, Mea Ayotte (5th) and Anna O’Donnell (9th) both set personal records in the Girls Freshmen 3k, running 12:59 and 13:25 respectively over the 1.8 mile layout. In the Boys Freshmen 3k, Brady Slinn (64th) led the Titan team with a time of 12:47, a PR.
In the Girls Junior Varsity Race, senior Vai Mandalalm PRed in 32nd place. In the Boys’ JV Race, senior Trevor DiPanni led the team with a 74th-place finish at 20:57.
The Titan Cross Country teams will next compete at the Class Championships on October 28 at Ponaganset High School, where athletes hope to qualify for the state meet at the same location on November 4. The boys’ team is looking to qualify for states as a team for the third straight year.
