Despite strong individual performances from the runners of Andover Boys Cross Country, the team’s results were not enough to clinch a win at Northfield Mount Hermon (NMH) on Saturday. Andover lost to NMH, 36-21.
Ian Whittall ’14 was stiff competition for NMH’s fastest runner. Whittall trailed the NMH runner closely for the whole course and was able to pull ahead with only a half mile left in the race. Whittall maintained his lead until the very end of the race, when the NMH runner pushed ahead to finish first.
Although he didn’t end up winning the race, Whittall finished with an impressive second place time of 17:37.
Ethan McIntosh ’15 was second for Andover with a sixth place overall finish and a time of 17:59.
McIntosh said, “My strategy during the race was to start in the middle of the pack and work my way up from there, and it worked out pretty well.”
Other top finishers included Kevin Fung ’13, Kailash Sundaram ’15, Matt Fischetti ’14, J.D. Schink ’13 and Arthur Doran ’15.
Coach Jeff Domina and the team hope to be a powerful force at Interschols by increasing their total mileage during practice in addition to running hills and focusing on leg-turnover on the track.
“To perform as we want to at Interschols, we need to tighten up our varsity pack and move everyone forward. We’re hoping Whittall will place among the top finishers,” said Coach Domina.
Andover has two more regular in-season meets before Interschols, against Deerfield and Exeter.
Andover will race Deerfield on Saturday at home.
“We’re especially looking forward to racing against Deerfield because it’s our only home meet of the season. Exeter is likely to be the toughest team we face all season, but that’s always a good meet,” said Domina.
