November 14, 2009 · 8:50 pm

Newburyport Boys Second in MIAA Eastern Division 4 at Franklin Park

Newburyport runners before race 11-14-09

Newburyport runners gather before Eastern D4 race at rainy Franklin Park

A whole bunch of us didn’t know enough to come in out of the rain!

The MIAA opted to ignore the forecasted rainy, windy conditions and go ahead with the Eastern State Division Finals at Franklin Park on Saturday.  I’m glad they did because cross country is an “all weather” sport in my opinion.

This event is well worth attending because you get a good look at the runners most of the time.  In many races, the runners disappear into the woods and out of sight for much of the race – not at Franklin Park.

But you talk about “off” conditions.  The mud was in evidence everywhere.  Several places on the course had puddles with unknown depth.  Then there was the occasional gust of serious wind.

But, surprising to me, I never saw a runner slip.  I heard after several races, runners chattering about the fun they’d had on the course.  Those puddles came in handy afterwards for cleaning purposes.

I doubt that most of the spectators were as thrilled.  Keeping dry, even with a good umbrella, was impossible.  If you got close enough to the runners, you risked getting splattered with mud.

I went to see how Ipswich’s Greg Krathwohl would do against better competion, after I had seen him dominate the CALs.  He did quite well getting 3rd.  He was very much in the mix for the lead for a good part of the race.  In the end, the two runners who had finished ahead of him at Franklin Park last year did the same once again.

Here is Greg (first time by), (second time by), and (nearing the finish).

I also hoped to be on hand for the Newburyport boys winning the East in Division 4.  That didn’t happen as they finished second to Seekonk.

Greg Englehard led the Clippers and finished #12, I think.  Here he is (2nd time by with Chris Suprin), (near the finish), and (getting medal).

Chris Suprin was 17th.

Sean Hickman – 28th – (at the finish).

Chris Jayne – 25th – (with Brian Morse 2nd time by), (near the finish).

Brian Morse – 27th –  (2nd time by), (near finish).

Ryan Clark – 39th –  (near finish).

Keith Conway – 33rd –  (near finish).

The first race I saw was Division 2 girls and Jenna Davidner of Oliver Ames won easily.

Alanna Poretta of Pentucket took 5th in Division 3 and seemed out of sorts with the weather.  She dominated the CAls but in this one she lost touch with the front runners early and never regained it.

Alanna will get another chance as will Greg Krathwohl and the Newburyport team on Saturday (November 21st) at Northfield.

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Filed under 2009 MIAA Eastern Cross Country Meet, Cape Ann League, Ipswich, Newburyport, Pentucket, Seekonk

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November 10, 2009 · 10:37 pm

Ipswich Girls Soccer Drops Penalty Kicks Toughie to Shawsheen Tech

Ipswich goal scored by 2 11-10-09

Two overtimes didn’t settle it, nor did the first five penalty kicks.  The 6th penalty kick gave the Shawsheen Tech Rams the Division 3 North tournament victory in girls soccer after their keeper made a save and the Ipswich keeper wasn’t as fortunate.

It goes down as a 2-1 quarter finals loss for the Tigers and a tough exit.  Shawsheen goes on to play Greater Lowell, a team according to the Lowell Sun, that they have already defeated three times.  The winner gets Georgetown in the North final.  The Royals absolutely crushed #1 seed Matignon 9-1 today (November 11th) at Lynn.

WHINER ALERT: I know what the MIAA letters stand for but at Shawsheen I’m thinking it could have meant – Missing In Action Again!

What actually does a school get for being part of that organization?  This was a tournament game, wasn’t it?  Missing as far as I could tell were; (1) player programs, (2) player introductions, (3) the national anthem, and (4) some sort of score clock.

Oh, and the Shawsheen field doesn’t have any lights.  You start a game at 2PM around here, when the sun sets before 4:30 PM, you weren’t planning for much extended play.  Why not 1PM??

And where was the news coverage?  Why do Ipswich folks subscribe to the Salem Evening News?  Wow, next day they had a boxscore!  Ipswich Chronicle – Where’s your game story?  Waiting until Friday?

Anyhow, I stood at the Shawsheen end through two halves and the first overtime and took pictures.  Devoid of a program, all I have are pictures of the part I stayed for.  Thanks to Ipswich AD Tom Gallagher for helping me sort out the names and numbers.

Here is my list of pictures;
Stephanie Sutherby dribbling toward the net,
Corner kick action in the first half shows Mary Krathwohl above the crowd,
Ipswich #5 – Lydia Earley
Ipswich #’s 3 and 21 – Grace Gardner and Bryn Golesworthy
Ipswich #24 – Courtney Long
Ipswich #21 – Bryn Golesworthy
Shot sailing over Hannah O’Flynn and the crossbar,
Bridget Fay near the goal.