The Qualters Middle School cross country team from Mansfield wrapped up a highly successful fall season, highlighted by standout performances at the Massachusetts State Championships held on November 1 in Devens.
Under the guidance of coaches Karen Carpentier, Michael Ganshirt, Nora McNeilly, Natalie Visconti, and Tim Carpentier, the team competed in multiple meets throughout the season, including events in Canton, Sharon, and Stoughton. The school also hosted its first-ever home meet at Memorial Park, drawing strong support from families, students, staff, and administrators. The smooth and enthusiastic turnout has encouraged plans for additional home meets in future years.
Several runners delivered notable results on one of the state’s toughest courses, battling strong winds and cold conditions.
Seventh graders Leah Miceli and Emily LaCivita led the way, earning medals with impressive sixth- and ninth-place finishes respectively, standing out in a competitive field of 159 runners.
Also, sixth grader Paige Howard impressed, securing a medal with an eighth-place finish and showcasing strong potential for future seasons.
Other athletes also contributed solid performances, including Anna Buckley (top 20 in the sixth-grade race), Katelynn Herrick (37th in the eighth-grade girls’ race), and boys’ runners Leo Mullin (33rd), Barrett Reynolds (42nd), and Jonathan Crooker (73rd). Several team members achieved personal bests to close out the season on a high note.
Principal Matt McGuire emphasized the importance of the program’s momentum and its impact on student development:
“The continued growth and success of our Cross Country program is incredibly exciting. Providing an interscholastic athletic opportunity at the middle school level is vital for student development, teaching commitment, resilience and teamwork. We are so grateful to our dedicated coaches for their commitment to fostering a spirit of belonging and helping each student to maximize their potential. As we close another outstanding season, we are committed to building on this foundation and fostering the next generation of student-athletes at QMS.”
Across the fall, the team’s 39 student-athletes demonstrated exceptional commitment—training through all weather conditions and supporting each other at every meet. The school community views this season’s results as a strong foundation for continued growth of the cross country program in the years ahead.
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