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Woodstock Academy coach Joe Banas had two goals in mind for his girls’ cross-country team Oct. 26 at Wickham Park in Manchester.
He wanted freshman Linsey Arends to qualify for the State Open and he was hopeful his team would finish in the top eight in the Class MM state championship.
Mission accomplished.
Arends qualified for Friday’s State Open with a 10th-place finish and the Centaurs, as Banas had not only hoped but predicted, finished eighth.
Banas had instructed his top two runners, Arends and Stella DiPippo, to go out slower.
He didn’t want them to be chasing the likes of Kate Wiser from Pomperaug, whom he believes will win Friday’s Open, and who won the MM race in 18 minutes, 32 seconds.
Near the halfway point of the race, Arends and DiPippo were around 20th place.
“Coach told me to go out a little slower so I could pick off people on the hills and that’s what I tried to do. I got a little worried when I realized how far back I was so I turned it on,” Arends said.
About three-quarters of the way through, Arends was in 11th. But at the finish line, Arends was worried. Logan Bud Jacobs of Avon just passed her at the finish line.
She was relieved to hear that, a few minutes after the finish, she had officially qualified for the State Open.
DiPippo finished 24th in 21:10 followed by Iris Bazinet (22:07) in 46th; Megan Gohn (22:28) in 54th; Alexia Bourbeau (22:48) 62nd; Shannon D’Alessandro (22:58) 64th and Julia Theriaque (23:12) in 71st.
Banas has already talked about working with Arends on her speed, so she will probably be doing some sprint work this week in preparation the Nov. 2 race. For Arends to qualify for the New England championship in Manchester, N.H. on Nov. 3, she has to finish in the top 25 Nov. 2 in the Open which will again take place at Wickham Park.
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
The Woodstock Academy