Girls’ cross country finishes second in the region — and first in something that matters more
The Clarebourne girls’ cross country team finished second in the New England Independent Schools Championship on November 2nd, their highest placing in twelve years. Ninth-grader Saoirse Connors led the team with a personal best of 19:42 over the 5K course, finishing fourth individually. Senior captain Elizabeth Beisel, running through what her coach later confirmed was a stress fracture she had not disclosed to the team before the race, finished eighth.
Coach Bill Andrade has been with Clarebourne athletics for nine years. He is not given to effusive post-race speeches. After this one, he made an exception.
“I have coached a lot of races. What I watched from this team on Saturday — the way they ran for each other, the way they handled a difficult course and difficult conditions — that’s the thing I’ll remember from this season. The trophy is nice. It’s not the point.”
The team finishes the season with a record of 8–2, their best since 2011. Five of the seven varsity runners are returning next year. The other two are seniors who, if their performances this fall are any indication, will be running competitively in college.
The full season results and individual times are available on the Clarebourne athletics page.