HARVARD — The Bromfield girls cross country team added another chapter to its legendary history last season with a second-place finish in the Districts with a roster that contained no seniors. This season, coach Ray Dunn will have five seniors aboard, who provide experience and leadership, but Dunn isn’t quite sure what to expect this time around.
“There is an air of mystery surrounding the team this season,” said Dunn. “We are pretty untested heading into the season, but if the questions are answered with positive responses we should do well.
“We are experienced, but it is very hard to know who are top seven runners will be,” said Dunn. “I’m not sure about our depth, but if things break right our depth could become a big positive.”
The five seniors on the squad will be Mimi Narbonne, Rachel Leicher, Brittany Jones, Harriet Hill, and Alice Kennedy.
“Mimi brings experience and she is a state champion in middle-distance events in track,” said Dunn. “She provides leadership and she has competed at the highest state levels. Rachel is a solid runner who was injured much of last season. We look at her as our secret weapon this year. Brittany is experienced, hard working and talented and she has run 16 seasons in track and field and cross country combined. Harriet contributes in a number of ways both off and on the field. She is a leader and has great organizational skills.”
Those four seniors were among the team’s top seven last season and Kennedy has returned from playing soccer and provides another veteran runner.
“Alice was on the team when she was younger and she is a big addition,” said Dunn.
Two other runners returning from the top seven from last year are freshman Alexia Lipman and eighth- grader Sophia Collins.
“Alexia is young and talented and was our top runner last season,” said Dunn. “Sophia was our number-two runner and has made great progress. She is going to be a real asset.”
The roster contains four juniors — Jessica Berger, Julia Berger, Molly Gormley and Hanna Keaney.
“Jessica and Julia are both hard workers with experience and we are expecting good showings from them,” said Dunn. “Molly didn’t run last season after running as a freshman. Hanna is a multitalented athlete who is a middle-distance runner in track.”
Sophomores on the team are Bhavani Hodgkins and Vishwa Rasani, both returnees.
“Bhavani is a sprinter in track, and Vishwa is a hurdler and sprinter,” said Dunn. “Both are adjusting to longer distances.”
A trio of freshmen are on the team — Shannon Barrett, Sarah Brown and Julie Gormley.
“All of them are talented and could make an impact,” said Dunn. “Any one of the three could challenge to be in the top seven.”
Three eighth-graders return — Brianna Harte, Maddie Beckman and K.J. Frost, while eighth-grader Suma Haque is out for the team for the first time.
“Brianna is very dedicated and hard working,” said Dunn. “Maddie is a solid middle-distance runner while K.J. is a multitalented athlete who plays a number of sports.
“This is a good group of girls to coach,” said Dunn. “There are a close-knit group and are a lot of fun. It is great to have a group of seniors around who hit the ground running. Our goal is to win a league championship, but we will need to mature and gel as the season progresses to make a run at the District championship.”
