The cross country teams at Saint Anselm College have always embodied the values of hard work, perseverance, and teamwork. In the 2024 season, the women’s team is already making waves with a stellar performance at the 42nd Annual Shacklette Invitational. Held in Manchester, New Hampshire, this 6k race saw the Saint Anselm College women’s cross country team not only claim a first-place finish as a team but also produce several individual standout performances, signaling a strong start to what promises to be an exciting season.
The women’s cross country team set the tone for the 2024 season with a commanding performance at the Shacklette Invitational on September 7th. The race featured several competitive teams from the region, but the Hawks emerged as the dominant force, securing the top team finish in the 6k event.
Leading the way for Saint Anselm was junior Anyelina Martinez from Lawrence, Mass., who delivered an outstanding individual performance. Martinez crossed the finish line with a time of 23:40.4, earning her an individual first-place finish. Her pace and endurance were unmatched, as she pulled ahead of the field to help secure a crucial victory for her team. Martinez’s success is a continuation of her promising career with the Hawks, and her leadership will be pivotal in the team’s continued success this season.
Behind Martinez, two senior standouts also contributed significantly to the Hawks’ dominance. Nora Conway from Stoneham, Mass., finished in fourth place overall, clocking in at 24:28.6. Conway’s consistency and experience were on full display as she secured valuable points for the Hawks. Ava O’Donnell, a senior from Raynham, Mass., rounded out the top 5 performers for the Hawks with a fifth-place overall finish, posting a time of 25:19.3. Together, this trio of upperclassmen set a high bar for the rest of the team and demonstrated the depth of talent within the Hawks’ roster.
One of the hallmarks of the Saint Anselm women’s cross country program is the strength in numbers. While Martinez, Conway, and O’Donnell set the pace at the front, the rest of the team provided equally impressive performances, showcasing the Hawks’ depth. Sophomore Lauren-Kate Garceau from Fairfield, Vt., finished sixth overall with a solid time, while junior Cara Morris from Walpole, Mass., followed close behind in seventh place. Both Garceau and Morris played crucial roles in securing Saint Anselm’s top team finish.
Freshman Ava Egan completed the team’s presence in the top 10, finishing 10th overall. For Egan, this race marked her debut for Saint Anselm College, and she demonstrated great potential with her strong finish.
Beyond the top 10, Saint Anselm had four more runners finish in the top 20. Sophomore Shannon Bresnahan from Beverly, Mass., ran a time of 28:03.0, earning 13th place, while junior Kathryn Hynes from Windham, N.H., was right on her heels, finishing 14th. Sophomore Abby Bemis from Braintree, Mass., finished 16th with a time of 28:21.9, and freshman Erin Flaherty from Kingston, Mass., rounded out the top 20 for the Hawks with a time of 28:30.8, finishing 17th overall.
This spread of strong finishes throughout the roster speaks to the depth of the Saint Anselm women’s cross country team. Every runner contributed to the overall team victory, and the balance between experienced upperclassmen and promising underclassmen bodes well for the remainder of the season.
While the women’s team made headlines with their Shacklette Invitational victory, the Saint Anselm College men’s cross country team is also gearing up for a promising season. Traditionally, the men’s team has been competitive within the Northeast-10 Conference (NE10) and beyond, and they enter the 2024 season with high hopes.
The Saint Anselm College men’s cross country team also started their 2024 season with an impressive performance, finishing second as a team at the 42nd Annual Shacklette Invitational. The 8k race featured tough competition, but the Hawks delivered a strong collective effort to secure a podium finish, falling only to a strong Plymouth State team.
Senior Steven Cormier from Reading, Mass., led the way for the Hawks with a time of 28:07.3, which earned him a fifth-place overall finish. Cormier’s consistency and experience were critical for the team as he navigated the course with determination and skill, setting a strong pace for his teammates.
Joining Cormier in the top 10 were sophomore Adam Holodowski from Milford, N.H., and fifth-year Chris Hogan from Plymouth, Mass. Holodowski finished in eighth place with a time of 28:47.7, while Hogan rounded out the top 10 with a ninth-place finish and a time of 28:50.7. These three athletes anchored the Hawks’ efforts, helping to solidify the team’s position near the top of the standings.
Much like the women’s team, the men’s cross country squad benefited from strong performances across the entire roster. Fifth-year Adam Wong from Westminster, Mass., and sophomore Clifford Teixeira from Nashua, N.H., finished just outside the top 10, placing 11th and 13th overall, respectively. Wong’s time of 28:58.6 and Teixeira’s time of 29:14.3 added valuable points for the Hawks.
In addition to these top performers, Saint Anselm saw several more runners finish in the top 20, showcasing the team’s depth and resilience. These performances will be key as the season progresses, especially as the Hawks look to improve their overall standings in upcoming races.
As the 2024 season unfolds, both the men’s and women’s cross country teams at Saint Anselm College are poised for success. The women’s team, fresh off their first-place finish at the Shacklette Invitational, has demonstrated their potential to compete at a high level in the Northeast-10 Conference and beyond. With a roster that combines experienced leaders and rising stars, the team has the depth and talent necessary to navigate the challenges of a long season and make a run at conference and regional titles.
The men’s team, with their strong second-place finish at the Shacklette Invitational, has also shown that they are a competitive force in the NE10 Conference. Led by experienced runners like Cormier and supported by a talented group of underclassmen, the Hawks are well-positioned to challenge their opponents in upcoming meets.
The Saint Anselm Hawks have long been known for their grit and determination, and the 2024 cross country season is no exception. With strong showings on both the men’s and women’s sides, this season promises to be an exciting chapter in the history of Saint Anselm College cross country. As the season continues, all eyes will be on the Hawks as they chase further victories and uphold the proud tradition of Saint Anselm athletics.