Local Runners Achieve Peak Performance at New Hampshire State Championships

Manchester,NH – Exceptional displays of athleticism were witnessed at the new Hampshire Division I,II,and III state cross country championships held saturday,October 25th. Athletes from across the state competed fiercely, with impressive individual and team results marking a thrilling day of competition. The event showcased dedication, training, and the spirit of high school sports.

Division I Showdown: Pinkerton and Exeter Lead

The Division I race saw Pinkerton High School emerge victorious with a team score of 55. Exeter High School closely followed, securing second place with a score of 58. Bedford, Bishop Guertin, and Concord rounded out the top five teams, posting scores of 110, 152, and 153, respectively.Lexi Paterna, a junior from Exeter High School, led all runners, completing the 3.1-mile course in an impressive 18 minutes, 40.11 seconds.

Exeter demonstrated considerable strength, with Brianna Paterna claiming third overall at 20:04.66, Molly Kells finishing 11th in 20:45.1, and Izzie Bremer securing 14th place with a time of 21:05.56. Winnacunnet also had a strong showing, with Sofia Parisi placing 15th at 21:07.29. Other notable performances from Seacoast runners included Ashleigh MacEachern of Exeter, Hannah Curtin and Emily Arrington of Winnacunnet, and Kelsey Campbell of Portsmouth.

Division II: Oyster River Secures Second Place

In the Division II competition, Oyster River High School demonstrated remarkable endurance, finishing second among 16 teams with a score of 52 points. Hanover dominated the field, securing first place with a score of 25, while coe-Brown took third place at 119. Olivia Kavanagh and Neely Roy of Oyster River delivered standout performances, finishing second and third, respectively, with times of 19:36.86 and 19:40.21. Madelyn Cook added too Oyster River’s success, claiming 11th place in 20:43.01.

Portsmouth Christian Claims Silver in Division III

Portsmouth Christian Academy achieved a commendable second-place finish in the Division III championships, accumulating 87 points among 21 teams. Hopkinton took the top spot with 60 points, and Newfound secured third place with 162.Elizabeth Stewart spearheaded Portsmouth christian’s efforts, achieving 12th place with a time of 21:33.04. Ava Buchanan and Sophia Anderson also contributed to their team’s success, finishing 16th and 21st, respectively. Newmarket and St. Thomas Aquinas also posted competitive results.

Boys’ Team Results

Exeter’s boys’ team finished ninth in the Division I competition with a score of 210. Dover, Portsmouth, Spaulding, and Winnacunnet followed, placing 14th, 15th, 17th, and 19th, respectively. Logan Poteet of exeter led the team, finishing 23rd overall with a time of 17:36.18. Oyster River’s boys’ team earned a strong third-place finish in Division II, and Portsmouth Christian secured a third-place position in Division III.

Did You Know? Cross country running has ancient roots, with early forms of the sport originating in England as a way for runners to train during the off-season for track and field.

Pro Tip: Proper hydration and nutrition are vital for cross country runners. Consistent fueling and electrolyte balance are key to peak performance and recovery.

What motivates these young athletes to push their limits? And how do these championship performances build character and resilience?

share your thoughts on these impressive athletic achievements! Leave a comment below and let us know which performance stood out to you the most.