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These stars ran to glory: South Shore high school boys cross country All-Scholastics

eric mchugh, the patriot ledger
·9 min read

When we were compiling our Patriot Ledger/Enterprise Boys Cross Country All-Scholastic Team, the first four selections were BC High runners.

That should tell you how dominant the Eagles were this season.

At the Division 1 state championship meet, BC High's quartet of Chris Larnard, John Wilson, Greg McGrath and Shamus Larnard finished 2nd, 4th, 20th and 24th, respectively, in a field of 187. They also posted the four fastest times of any South Shore runners across all three divisions.

BC High's third-place finish in team scoring at states represented the Eagles' best showing in 30 years. The Eagles also were runners-up in team scoring at the Div. 1A qualifying race. Chris Larnard finished first in that one with Wilson 3rd, McGrath 9th and Shamus Larnard 16th.

Norwell's Thomas Corbett was 5th and East Bridgewater's Ezra Blasko was 7th at the Div. 3 state championship meet and also were easy picks for our team.

Let's meet the 2023 Patriot Ledger/Enterprise All-Scholastics.

FIRST TEAM

East Bridgewater's Ezra Blasko during a meet against Abington on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2024.
East Bridgewater's Ezra Blasko during a meet against Abington on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2024.

EZRA BLASKO

East Bridgewater

Senior was 7th at the Div. 3 state championship meet at Fort Devens, covering the 5K course in 16:27.33 to help the Vikings place 13th overall in team scoring. ... Was 3rd in the Div. 3A race at Northfield Mountain in 17:03.23 as the Vikings placed 6th in team scoring. ... Runner-up in South Shore League championship meet. ... Broke EB's home-course record that had stood since 2006. ... Was 3rd at the Frank Mooney Coaches Invitational.

Plymouth South’s Noah Brilliant was brilliant finishing first overall with a time of 16:02.91 during the Patriot League Championship Meet at Hingham High School on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. Plymouth South boys would win with 48 points while Marshfield girls would win with 24 points.
Plymouth South’s Noah Brilliant was brilliant finishing first overall with a time of 16:02.91 during the Patriot League Championship Meet at Hingham High School on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. Plymouth South boys would win with 48 points while Marshfield girls would win with 24 points.

NOAH BRILLIANT

Plymouth South

An illness sabotaged his performance at the Div. 2 state championship meet at Fort Devens, as he finished 77th in a season-worst 17:50.35. ... The rest of his campaign was stellar, including a fourth-place showing at the Div. 2A qualifying race in Wrentham in 16:20.2; that helped South finish runner-up in team scoring. ... Won the Patriot League crown in a PR 16:02.91. ... Patriot League Fisher Division MVP. ... Said coach Renee Melisse: "Noah is the definition of character and discipline."

Hingham’s Brendan Burm just edges out Graham Heinrich at the finish line to finish first overall in their dual meet at Hingham High on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. Brendan won by 0.034 seconds with a time of 15:59.649. Marshfield boys won 27-28 while Marshfield girls won 19-36.
Hingham’s Brendan Burm just edges out Graham Heinrich at the finish line to finish first overall in their dual meet at Hingham High on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. Brendan won by 0.034 seconds with a time of 15:59.649. Marshfield boys won 27-28 while Marshfield girls won 19-36.

BRENDAN BURM

Hingham

Senior captain was 79th in the Div. 1 state championship meet at Fort Devens, covering the 5K course in 17:02.39. ... Was 12th in the Div. 1C qualifying race in Gardner in 16:49.93, helping the Harbormen place 7th in team scoring. ... Was 5th at the Patriot League championship meet, running 16:40.32. ... Patriot League Keenan Division MVP. ... Said coach Fred Jewett: "One of the best team leaders I have ever coached. A true role model for his peers."

Brockton's Seamus Canniff, 15, won the boys cross country meet versus Bridgewater-Raynham at the Natural Trust in Easton on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023.
Brockton's Seamus Canniff, 15, won the boys cross country meet versus Bridgewater-Raynham at the Natural Trust in Easton on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023.

SEAMUS CANNIFF

Brockton

Sophomore was 57th in the Div. 2 state championship meet at Fort Devens, covering the 5K course in 17:30.56. ... Was 17th in the Div. 2A qualifying race in Wrentham in 16:55.60, helping the Boxers place 9th overall in team scoring. ... Southeast Conference champion. ... His best 5K time was 16:21. ... Said coach John Fidalgo: "Seamus quickly established himself as one of the top runners in this area in his first year of cross country."

Thomas Corbett of Norwell has been named to The Patriot Ledger/Enterprise All-Scholastic Boys Cross Country Team.
Thomas Corbett of Norwell has been named to The Patriot Ledger/Enterprise All-Scholastic Boys Cross Country Team.

THOMAS CORBETT

Norwell

Senior was 5th at the Div. 3 state championship meet at Fort Devens, covering the 5K course in 16:20.65, helping the Clippers place 7th in team scoring. ... Was runner-up at the Div. 3A qualifying race at Northfield Mountain in 16:53.77, helping the Clippers place 3rd in team scoring. ... South Shore League MVP won the SSL championship meet in 16:08. ... Won the MSTCA Franklin Park Invitational in 16:22.7. ... Runner-up at MSTCA Bay State Invitational (16:12).

Brockton's Aaron Corlette finished in second place during the boys cross country meet versus Bridgewater-Raynham at the Natural Trust in Easton on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023.
Brockton's Aaron Corlette finished in second place during the boys cross country meet versus Bridgewater-Raynham at the Natural Trust in Easton on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023.

AARON CORLETTE

Brockton

Senior was 30th in the Div. 2 state championship meet at Fort Devens, covering the 5K course in 17:04.71. ... Was 9th in the Div. 2A qualifying race in Wrentham in a PR 16:37.70, helping the Boxers place 9th overall in team scoring. ... Runner-up at the Southeast Conference championship meet. ... Said coach John Fidalgo: "Aaron was a great captain and leader, helping the team improve all season long."

Oscar Feodoroff of Oliver Ames has been named to The Patriot Ledger/Enterprise All-Scholastic Boys Cross Country Team.
Oscar Feodoroff of Oliver Ames has been named to The Patriot Ledger/Enterprise All-Scholastic Boys Cross Country Team.

OSCAR FEODOROFF

Oliver Ames

Junior was 80th in the Div. 1 state championship meet at Fort Devens, covering the 5K course in 17:02.74. ... Was 36th in the Div. C qualifying race in Gardner in 17:36.08, helping the Tigers place 5th overall in team scoring. ... Finished 8th at the Hockomock League championship meet. ... Finished 69th at the MSTCA Large-School Twilight Invitational in 17:13.78.

Marshfield’s Graham Heinrich sprints to the finish line for second place with a time of 16:12.98 during the Patriot League Championship Meet at Hingham High School on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. Plymouth South boys would win with 48 points while Marshfield girls would win with 24 points.
Marshfield’s Graham Heinrich sprints to the finish line for second place with a time of 16:12.98 during the Patriot League Championship Meet at Hingham High School on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. Plymouth South boys would win with 48 points while Marshfield girls would win with 24 points.

GRAHAM HEINRICH

Marshfield

Junior captain had to bow out of the postseason, but he was one the Patriot League's top runners, finishing 2nd overall at the league championship meet in 16:12.98. ... Finished 4th at the Catholic Memorial Invitational. ... Won 4 of 5 dual meets. ... Has a 5K PR of 15:59. ... Active in the National Honors Society, Student Council and Medical Professionals Club. ... Coach Dennis Sheppard says he's "shown great leadership."

Chris Larnard of BC High has been named to The Patriot Ledger/Enterprise All-Scholastic Boys Outdoor Track & Field Team.
Chris Larnard of BC High has been named to The Patriot Ledger/Enterprise All-Scholastic Boys Outdoor Track & Field Team.

CHRIS LARNARD

BC High

Senior from Scituate was runner-up in the Div. 1 state championship meet at Fort Devens, covering the 5K course in 15:25.21 to lead the Eagles to a third-place finish in team scoring; that was BC High's best showing in 30 years. ... Won the Div. 1A qualifying race in Gardner in 15:39.88 (first Eagle to do it since 1999) as BC High placed 2nd in team scoring. ... Will run at the University of Pennsylvania next year.

Shamus Larnard of BC High has been named to The Patriot Ledger/Enterprise All-Scholastic Boys Cross Country Team.
Shamus Larnard of BC High has been named to The Patriot Ledger/Enterprise All-Scholastic Boys Cross Country Team.

SHAMUS LARNARD

BC High

Junior from Scituate was 24th in the Div. 1 state championship meet at Fort Devens, covering the 5K course in 16:13.84 to lead the Eagles to a third-place finish in team scoring; that was BC High's best showing in 30 years. ... Finished 16th in the Div. 1A qualifying race in Gardner in 16:32.31 as BC High placed 2nd in team scoring. ... Ran a top-10 time in Catholic Conference history at league championship meet.

Greg McGrath of BC High has been named to The Patriot Ledger/Enterprise All-Scholastic Boys Cross Country Team.
Greg McGrath of BC High has been named to The Patriot Ledger/Enterprise All-Scholastic Boys Cross Country Team.

GREG McGRATH

BC High

Sophomore was 20th in the Div. 1 state championship meet at Fort Devens, covering the 5K course in 16:11.92 to lead the Eagles to a third-place finish in team scoring; that was BC High's best showing in 30 years. ... Finished 9th in the Div. 1A qualifying race in Gardner in 16:16.59 as BC High placed 2nd in team scoring. ... He had the fastest time by a sophomore in any of the divisional state meets.

LANDON SARNEY

Oliver Ames

Sophomore finished 101st in the Div. 1 state championship meet at Fort Devens, covering the 5K course in 17:13.85. ... Was 21st in the Div. 1C qualifying race in Gardner in 17:06.2, helping the Tigers place 5th overall in team scoring. ... Finished 37th at the MSTCA Large-School Twilight Invitational in 16:36.99. ... Coach Kyle Sousa said: "He continues to become a stronger and stronger tactical racer against top competition."

Oliver Ames’s Brendan Thomas is a blur of motion while running in the 4X800 meter relay race at the MIAA Meet of Champions at the Reggie Lewis Track Center in Boston on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023.
Oliver Ames’s Brendan Thomas is a blur of motion while running in the 4X800 meter relay race at the MIAA Meet of Champions at the Reggie Lewis Track Center in Boston on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023.

BRENDAN THOMAS

Oliver Ames

Senior was 17th in the Div. 1C qualifying race in Gardner in 17:03.59, helping the Tigers place 5th overall in team scoring. ... Hockomock League MVP was undefeated in league competition; he won the league championship meet. ... Was 3rd at the Catholic Memorial Invitational. ... Said coach Kyle Sousa: "Despite being one of the elite individual athletes in the area, Brendan's focus always remained on helping the team as best he could."

BC High's John Wilson of Norwell (left) and Chris Larnard of Scituate (right) lead the way at the Div. 1A championship race at Gardner Golf Course on Nov. 11, 2023. The duo also starred at the Div. 1 state championships at Fort Devens on Nov. 18.
BC High's John Wilson of Norwell (left) and Chris Larnard of Scituate (right) lead the way at the Div. 1A championship race at Gardner Golf Course on Nov. 11, 2023. The duo also starred at the Div. 1 state championships at Fort Devens on Nov. 18.

JOHN WILSON

BC High

Junior from Norwell was 4th in the Div. 1 state championship meet at Fort Devens, covering the 5K course in 15:38.43 to lead the Eagles to a third-place finish in team scoring; that was BC High's best showing in 30 years. ... Placed 3rd in the Div. 1A qualifying race in Gardner in 15:55.08 as BC High placed 2nd in team scoring. ... That third-place finish was the highest by an Eagle junior in more than 30 years.

SECOND TEAM

Plymouth South's Christian Amaral, right, runs for the finish line during the Patriot League Championship meet at Hingham High on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022.
Plymouth South's Christian Amaral, right, runs for the finish line during the Patriot League Championship meet at Hingham High on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022.

CHRISTIAN AMARAL

Plymouth South

Senior was 71st at Div. 2 states, covering the 5K course at Fort Devens in 17:47.73 as the Panthers finished 12th in team scoring. ... Was 31st at the Div. 2A qualifying race in Wrentham in 17:15.5; South was runner-up in team scoring.

ALEX CALLAHAN

Oliver Ames

Junior was 119th at Div. 1 states, covering the 5K course at Fort Devens in 17:30.79. ... Was 32nd in the Div. 1C qualifying race in Gardner in 17:32.72, helping the Tigers place 5th overall in team scoring. ... Coach Kyle Sousa called him a "crucial piece" in OA's success.

Connor Earle of Duxbury has been named to The Patriot Ledger/Enterprise All-Scholastic Boys Cross Country Team.
Connor Earle of Duxbury has been named to The Patriot Ledger/Enterprise All-Scholastic Boys Cross Country Team.

CONNOR EARLE

Duxbury

Sophomore was 75th at Div. 2 states, covering the 5K course at Fort Devens in 17:49.62. ... Was 22nd in the Div. 2A qualifying race in Wrentham in 16:59.4. ... Finished 14th at the Patriot League championship meet in 17:01.11.

Eamonn Fennell of Archbishop Williams has been named to The Patriot Ledger/Enterprise All-Scholastic Boys Cross Country Team.
Eamonn Fennell of Archbishop Williams has been named to The Patriot Ledger/Enterprise All-Scholastic Boys Cross Country Team.

EAMONN FENNELL

Archbishop Williams

Senior co-captain was 87th at Div. 2 states, covering the 5K course at Fort Devens in 17:52.68. ... Was 21st in the Div. 2C qualifying race in Wrentham in a season-best 17:27.50. ... Finished 8th at the Catholic Central League championship meet.

Hingham's Niko Gibson finishes strong to take 11th overall in their meet against Marshfield at Marshfield High on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022. Marshfield girls would win 19-39 while Marshfield boys won 19-44.
Hingham's Niko Gibson finishes strong to take 11th overall in their meet against Marshfield at Marshfield High on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022. Marshfield girls would win 19-39 while Marshfield boys won 19-44.

NIKO GIBSON

Hingham

Senior captain finished 112th at Div. 1 states at Fort Devens in 17:22.50. ... Was 18th in the Div. 1C qualifying race in Gardner in 17:05.00, helping the Harbormen place 7th in team scoring. ... Holds second-fastest time ever on Hingham's home course.

From left, Middleboro's Michael Neitlich, and Carver's Luke Holden, during the SSL Cross Country Championships at Nichols Middle School in Middleboro on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.
From left, Middleboro's Michael Neitlich, and Carver's Luke Holden, during the SSL Cross Country Championships at Nichols Middle School in Middleboro on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021.

LUKE HOLDEN

Carver

Senior finished 30th at Div. 3 states at Fort Devens in 17:19.69. ... Was 11th in the Div. 3B qualifying race at Northfield Mountain in 17:47.03, helping the Crusaders place 10th overall in team scoring. ... Was 3rd at the South Shore League championship meet.

Marshfield’s Matt McCabe takes third overall with a time of 16:29.50 during the Patriot League Championship Meet at Hingham High School on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. Plymouth South boys would win with 48 points while Marshfield girls would win with 24 points.
Marshfield’s Matt McCabe takes third overall with a time of 16:29.50 during the Patriot League Championship Meet at Hingham High School on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. Plymouth South boys would win with 48 points while Marshfield girls would win with 24 points.

MATT McCABE

Marshfield

Junior finished 106th at Div. 1 states at Fort Devens in 17:18.84. ... Was 27th in the Div. 1C qualifying race in Gardner in 17:21.23, helping the Rams finish 14th overall in team scoring. ... Finished 3rd at the Patriot League championship meet in 16:29.50.

Plymouth South’s Owen Michelin passes Duxbury’s Connor Earle to take thirteenth place during the Patriot League Championship Meet at Hingham High School on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. Plymouth South boys would win with 48 points while Marshfield girls would win with 24 points.
Plymouth South’s Owen Michelin passes Duxbury’s Connor Earle to take thirteenth place during the Patriot League Championship Meet at Hingham High School on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. Plymouth South boys would win with 48 points while Marshfield girls would win with 24 points.

OWEN MICHELIN

Plymouth South

Senior was 47th at Div. 2 states in Fort Devens in 17:18.16, helping South place 12th in team scoring. ... Finished 11th at the Div. 2A qualifying race in Wrentham in a PR 16:47.0; South was runner-up in team scoring. ... Was 13th at the Patriot League championships (17:01.03).

Middleboro's Lekan Sotonwa during the division two cross country meet in Wrentham on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023.
Middleboro's Lekan Sotonwa during the division two cross country meet in Wrentham on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023.

LEKAN SOTONWA

Middleboro 

Junior was 43rd at Div. 2 states, covering the 5K course at Fort Devens in 17:16.30. ... Was 20th in the Div. 2B qualifying race in Wrentham in 16:44.00, helping the Sachems finish 16th overall in team scoring. ... Active in Key Club and Game Club.

Jack Twombly of Norwell has been named to The Patriot Ledger/Enterprise All-Scholastic Boys Cross Country Team.
Jack Twombly of Norwell has been named to The Patriot Ledger/Enterprise All-Scholastic Boys Cross Country Team.

JACK TWOMBLY

Norwell

Senior was 44th at Div. 3 states at Fort Devens in 17:33.53, helping the Clippers place 7th in team scoring. ... Was 12th at the Div. 3A qualifying race at Northfield Mountain in 17:55.90, helping the Clippers place 3rd in team scoring. ... Was 5th at the South Shore League championship.

HONORABLE MENTION

Luke Carling, Canton

Nate Flaherty, Braintree

Thomas Hoff, Holbrook

Mason McNulty, Plymouth South

Joe Mento, Archbishop Williams

Tom Perkins, Hanover

Brian Peters, Bridgewater-Raynham

Jack Rubin, Duxbury

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Presenting our 2023 Boys Cross Country All-Scholastics