Meet the top 48 SouthCoast high school cross country runners to watch in 2023
Eleven of the top 14 boys and girls cross country runners on the SouthCoast are back for 2023.
Headlining the strong group of returners is Old Rochester senior Hanna Whalley, a two-time Standard-Times Girls Runner of the Year.
The rest of the girls 2022 Standard-Times Super Team is back with the return of Apponequet’s Hannah Kuriscak, Dartmouth’s Lauren Kelly, New Bedford’s Madalena Morris and Old Rochester’s Madison Conner, Alexia Gonsalves and Aubrey Heis.
The returning boys cross country Super Teamers include Dartmouth’s Elaijah Monteiro, Old Rochester’s Tyler Young and Aidan Silk and GNB Voc-Tech’s Daniel Ward.
Here’s a look at the top 48 boys and girls cross country runners from the area to watch in 2023:
BOYS
APPONEQUET
The potential is high for Apponequet this season. The boys team is led by seniors Nathan Furtado and Nathan Levesque and sophomore Ryan Levesque. “The coaching staff is optimistic about the upcoming season,” said Apponequet boys coach Dan Rutledge. “The boys team has all the ingredients for success, we just need some more time to cook.” Furtado is a four-year, three-season runner who came into the season in peak fitness after a long summer of training. “He is our top athlete and our most experienced cross country runner,” said Rutledge. A multi-sport athlete, Nathan Levesque also plays baseball and basketball at Apponequet. “Nate is a highly competitive runner who has a high ceiling for success,” Rutledge said. “He is a one-season athlete who gives his all, whether he is participating in baseball, basketball, or running.” As for Ryan Levesque, Rutledge said, “Ryan is a confident runner. He works hard, he races harder and he's the guy you rely on to get the job done.”
BISHOP STANG
It’s been quite a run for Stang over the past two years, winning the Div. 3A title in 2021 and finishing as runner-up last year, but the Spartans were hit hard by graduation. “It’s a rebuilding year for sure,” said Bishop Stang head coach Julie Isaksen. Stang will look to junior Lowell Copps to lead the pack as the team’s No. 1 runner. “He’s head and shoulders above everyone else on the team,” Isaksen said. “He’s always pushing himself when he needs to and he’s so consistent.” Freshman Brennen Zane and junior Conor Levesque should crack the top three spots.
DARTMOUTH
Dartmouth appears to have what it takes to repeat as Southeast Conference champions with a nice mix of returning runners and impactful newcomers. Even though he’s coming back from an ankle injury, senior captain Elaijah Monteiro is one to watch after he won the SEC championship last fall. Junior Jared Mendonca improved significantly since last year and should be one of Dartmouth’s top three runners. A pair of newcomers — senior Luke Bloom-Glover and junior Tyler Amaral — have shown great potential with backgrounds in winter track. “Luke is a great addition to this year’s squad and will excel in dual, invitationals and postseason,” said Dartmouth head coach Hilary Sousa, noting he’s already run under 18:00 at Dartmouth’s 5k home course. “Along with Luke, Tyler will contribute tremendously to the top 5 and will continue to improve as he gains more experience with cross country.” Depth will be a key factor as Dartmouth makes a run toward titles in the SEC and Div. 2A. “With the loss of three varsity seniors (Samuel Shrestha, Bronson Garriga and Aidan Carreiro), the boys team is still looking very strong and are ready to do well,” Sousa said. “With the additions of Luke and Tyler, the team is looking strong and will look forward to being successful in the SEC League and postseason.”
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FAIRHAVEN
Of Fairhaven’s nine runners, five are in their first year, making it a young team. “They all have potential,” said Fairhaven head coach Paul Mello. “They’re showing me they have the stuff. I think we’re going to be competitive in our division.” Leading the way are senior first-year runner Jack Finn and sophomore Harrison Zheng. “Jack is a hockey player so he’s always been in shape. He’s very competitive,” Mello said. “Harrison is right behind Jack and might be our No. 1 by the end of the season.”
GNB VOC-TECH
The Bears should be one of the top teams in the South Coast Conference with a strong core of runners that is led by seniors Daniel Ward and Owen Vieira and sophomore William Guillotte. Ward is a three-year runner for the Bears. “He’s got a lot of experience,” said GNB Voc-Tech head coach Robert Southerland. “He’s one of our senior co-captains. He’s got a lot of natural talent and he's got a work ethic second to none.” Vieira made it to states last year as a junior. “His maturity makes him stand out,” Sutherland said. “He’s a tremendously hard worker and gives it his all.” This is Guillotte’s second year on the team. “He came into camp in tremendous shape,” Sutherland said. “He’s an incredibly knowledgeable runner and he did all three seasons last year. He loves the distance aspect.”
NEW BEDFORD
Head coach Jeremy Tilton is excited about the increase of interest in cross country at New Bedford High. “We’re up in numbers so that is good and it’s going to help,” he said. “It gives us more depth. I look forward to seeing a lot of improvement over the course of the year.” Junior Joseph Costello enters his third year of running with the team and will lead the pack along with freshman John Paul Morris, who ran as an eighth grader, and junior Nathan Bickett.
OLD COLONY
In his first year at the held, John Oldham is focused on gradual improvement. “Our goals are to consistently improve from week to week,” he said. “Keep striving to beat our personal bests while establishing routines while building a positive structure from which to grow from.” Old Colony’s top three runners are senior TJ Graber and sophomores Mason Garcia and Josh Gonsalves. “TJ is a quiet leader who leads by example. Always willing to step out front and is very consistent in his performance,” Oldham said. “Mason is a tenacious runner who leaves it all out on the course. Again, he is quiet but very competitive and his fellow runners look up to him.” Oldham said of Gonsalves, “He’s one of our younger runners who consistently will finish near the top in all meets. Very strong runner and we really enjoy having him as part of our team.”
OLD ROCHESTER
The Bulldogs will look to make a run at the South Coast Conference title with a veteran group that is led by senior Tyler Young and Aidan Silk and junior Nolan Bushnell. “It’s experience and dedication. They work real hard,” said Old Rochester head coach Jess Pilla. “They did a lot of training in the offseason and they want to be good.” The key to winning the championship will be ORR’s depth. “We have a lot of new people with 15 boys,” Pilla said. “We know Tyler and Aidan are really strong so it’s going to come down to our four-five-six runners.”
OTHERS TO WATCH
Tyler Gray, Apponequet, Jr.; Luca Rubini, Apponequet, So.; Dalton Baker, Bishop Stang, Jr.; Jack Lucy, Bishop Stang, So.; Ryan Witkowski, Bishop Stang, Sr.; Jacob Anuszczyk, Dartmouth, Jr.; Nick Silva, Dartmouth, Sr.; Nate Wentworth, Dartmouth, Sr.; Josh Arruda, Fairhaven, Sr.; Gavin Austin, Fairhaven, Sr.; Gabe Correia, Fairhaven, Sr.; Noah Pacheco, Fairhaven, Sr.; Michael Vardo, Fairhaven, Sr.; Antonio Caneira, GNB Voc-Tech, Sr.; Jacob Duclos, GNB Voc-Tech, Sr.; Isaac Rivera, New Bedford, So.; Jack Tito-Mora, New Bedford, Jr.; Noah Bellefeuille, Old Colony, Sophomore; Brody Rigby, Old Colony, Junior; John Bowman, Old Rochester, Sr.; Noah Robert-Howley, Old Rochester, So.
GIRLS
APPONEQUET
The Lakers are stacked with strong distance runners with the return of sophomores Keltey Fournier and Hannah Kuriscak, an all-state runner a year ago. “The two of them train together. They’re inseparable. They’re both strong workers,” said Apponequet head coach Alex Walecka. “They’re both exceptional student athletes. They show a ton of sportsmanship. They put in the hard work every day.” Apponequet also welcomed the addition of senior Hailey Desmarais, who is running cross country for the first time but has experience with running road races. “Fortunately we’ve been lucky to have her join this season,” Walecka said. “Hailey’s work ethic and dedication to the sport of running is really what separates her. She put in training over the summer. It’s not like we’re getting a new runner new to the sport. She knows how to race.”
BISHOP STANG
Head coach Julie Isaksen is focused on how the Spartans finish the year. “Collectively I know they’re going to keep improving this year,” she said. “It’s all clicking. Everything is underway and they’re digging in. They’re a good group of girls.” Leading the way are a pair of four-year runners in seniors Lola Bergeron and Bree Killion. Freshman Helena Morrison will also be among the top finishers for the Spartans this year.
DARTMOUTH
Dartmouth has some holes to fill after losing two of its top five runners from a year ago to graduation. Leading the pack are senior captain Lauren Kelly, a Southeast Conference All-Star last fall. “Lauren has had major improvement since last year and is leading the team as our number 1 runner,” said Dartmouth head coach Hilary Sousa. Junior Amya Moura is back after earning SEC All-Star honors in 2022. “She had a very successful sophomore season,” Sousa said. Senior Makai Vincent will be among Dartmouth’s top three runners in her second year on the team.
FAIRHAVEN
Interest is up at Fairhaven with the largest girls team under Paul Mello. “This is the biggest team I’ve had,” he said, noting that he’s got 15 girls. “I think our girls are going to hold their own.” Fairhaven’s No. 1 from last year is back with the return of sophomore Emma Flannery. Seniors Natalie Yochim and Olivia Darmofal will also lead the pack. “I’m thinking it’s going to be whoever has the best day is going to be the No. 1 so they’re going to push each other which I love,” Mello said.
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GNB VOC-TECH
Even though the Bears are young, they have a ton of potential with sophomore Nevaeh Escobar and juniors Elena Aponte and Morgan Gonsalves. Escobar ran all three seasons last year and should be among the top finishers along with Aponte, who is in her third year with the team. This is Gonsalves’ first season of running cross country after participating in winter and spring track as a junior. “We’ve got a young team, but the future potential is what I see in this team,” said GNB Voc-Tech head coach Robert Southerland.
NEW BEDFORD
The Whalers have talent and depth this year with the return of four-year runner Madalena Morris, a junior, and the addition of sophomore Caroline Huston. Senior Abby Zhang will also be out front for the Whalers. “We’re excited because we have more numbers this year,” said New Bedford head coach Jeremy Tilton. Last year, Morris broke 20:10 and will look to build on that this fall.
OLD COLONY
The Cougars’ most experienced runners are sophomores Annabella Putignano and Lilly Sawiski, who ran last year. “(They) show great promise and are a pleasure to have on the team,” said Old Colony head coach John Oldham, who has only four girls on the team. “Both will finish strong by the end of the year.”
OLD ROCHESTER
With the return of seniors Hanna Whalley and Alexia Gonsalves and junior Maddie Conner, the Bulldogs should once again contend for the South Coast Conference title. “We’ve just got to make sure we stay healthy,” said Old Rochester head coach Jess Pilla, adding that the addition of sophomore Ella Milhench, a transfer from Bishop Stang, will help. “She’s going to rival our top five.”
OTHERS TO WATCH
Tyler Gray, Apponequet, Jr.; Nora McClurkin, Apponequet, So.; Luca Rubini, Apponequet, So.; Isabella Sergio, Apponequet, Jr.; Emmy Palumbo, Bishop Stang, So.; Olivia Ribeiro, Bishop Stang, Fr.; Faye Sullivan, Bishop Stang, So.; Grace Sperry, Dartmouth, Fr.; Maeve Bradshaw, Fairhaven, So.; Libby St. Pierre, Fairhaven, Sr.; Melissa Ribeiro, New Bedford, Jr.; Alaysha Sylvia-Figueroa, New Bedford, Fr.; Emily Abbott, Old Rochester, Sr.; Aubrey Heise, Old Rochester, Sr.; Gabby Pinhancos, Jr.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: 2023 Watch list for top high school cross country runners SouthCoast
