Striding for excellence.

Byline: Tessa McGrail

SHREWSBURY - The commonly used cross-country motto "all weather, all terrain" is hardly an overstatement when applied to the Shrewsbury High School girls' and boys' cross country teams.

Starting their season off with a 5K race on the Shrewsbury home course against Algonquin Regional High School, the Colonials raced hard on a day that resulted in dehydration and medical disaster.

Postseason, the boys' team, took third place at the Division 1 Central Mass. Championship on Nov. 10, in Gardner, while the girls took eighth place.

The boys' team went on to finish 16th in the Division 1 state final on Nov. 17, at the Gardner Municipal Golf Course.

Leading the team this year was Captain Chris Covello, who made significant strides of progress since his previous season which was tainted by a knee injury. Junior Anthony Frissora resumed his second place ranking in the Bob McIntyre Invitational, after sitting the first meets out due to an ankle injury. Frissora also finished second in the Mid Wach A Championships in October.

The girls' cross country team compiled a 7-4 record and is proud of the work submitted. They were defeated only by Algonquin, Nashoba, Wachusett and Notre Dame this season.

At the Quabbin Invitational on Oct. 20, the Colonials placed third to Wachusett and Gardener. These results boosted the runners' confidence in achieving a top three finish at Districts. The top three scoring teams qualify to race their varsity team in the state meet which was held in Gardner this year.

The girls' team had a strong comeback this year after suffering from a variety of injuries in their previous season...