WRENTHAM – Allesandra Gavris crossed the finish line yesterday at the Frank Kelley Invitational with a big smile on her face.
There’s a lot to smile about in Gavris. The Weston sophomore competed against a talented field in the Junior Freshman/Sophomore competition, sprinting to victory in 11:13.8 for a 3K victory. Gavris’ wife ran 5:06 miles in her freshman year, giving her the confidence to move forward. “I think I have a little left,” she said. “I wanted to go out in control and see how everyone was feeling. I felt okay.”
Medfield’s Jack Daley watched as Seekonk’s Calder Sears picked up the pace of the freshman/sophomore race before shifting gears for an 800 and a 10:18.6 victory. Sears maintained a strong second place with a time of 10:19.9.
Daly believes his kick will work in the final teardrop loop of the rolling Wrentham layout.
“I didn’t know who was in the game, so I didn’t get out that fast,” he said. I didn’t expect to win, but came up (teardrops) I thought I could. I’ve done it in dual sessions. “
West Bridgewater Youth’s Ella Dunbury had a top-five finish in the youth/senior class, but she was right in front of the pack after a quick 5:45 mile start. Dunbury sprinted hard in the final 400 metres and cruised home in 11:39.6.
“I played a little harder than expected, but in the second half I just wanted to keep my rhythm,” she said. “I looked back once in the last round and knew I had it.”
Bedford’s John Gallaway swayed freely in the final 100m of the Junior/Senior division to win 9:40. “I knew I had to get down the mountain as soon as possible,” he said.
Wellesley flexed their muscles in the freshman/sophomore competition, with Abby Bergens taking the gold in 10:58.6 and teammate Emma Tuxbury second in 11:03.6. It was the first major match between the two sides.
“We usually run together in dual sessions, and we wanted to do that today,” Bergens said. “I’ve never been in a big game before. I’m so happy. I really want to win.”
Greater Lowell’s Seamus Tully easily won the freshman/sophomore game. His 9:47.7 put Tully well ahead of the Beverly duo of Jason Provost (10:04.1) and Calvin Barrett (10:04.6). Weymouth’s Meghan Connolly broke the record in 12:02.8 to take the Junior/Senior division victory. Franklin’s Alexander Bartra took silver in 12:06.5 and Braintree’s Grace Baldwin took bronze in 12:23.1.
West Springfield’s Ben Drohan won the Junior/Senior match in 9:31.9, beating Catholic Memorial’s John Garvey (9:37.4) and Woburn’s Joe Mahon (9:48.9) for Junior/Senior honors.