NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE MEET

Mikita Barry, Matthew Giardina Break Course Records At Alvirne

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Mikita Barry's first cross country season has been ground-breaking and record-breaking.

The junior from Bedford, who made the switch this fall from the soccer field to the cross country trails to prep for track, has instantly found success. On Saturday at the New Hampshire Meet of Champions, Barry continued her impressive season winning the MOC title at Alvirne High School in Hudson in a time of 17 minutes 24.6 seconds.

Her time  shattered the previous MOC Alvirne course record of 18:04, which was set in 2022 by Brianna Maloney. 

Barry also bettered her time on this 5,000-meter course from last month when she won the Battle of the Border race in 17:36.7. 

Second place went to Hopkinson sophomore Madeleine Lane in 17:28.26, while third was senior Laura White of Nashua North in 18:01.60. 

In the team race, Oyster River scored 71 points with three runners in the top 11 to hold off Hanover (74 points). 

The boys race was also record-breaking, as Bishop Guertin’s Matthew Giardina took down Patrick Gandini's course record of 15:05.2 set in 2022. Giardina  clocked an impressive time of 14:58.41, the only runner under 15 minutes.

Giardina, who is committed to New Mexico, also guided his team to a championship with 64 points, placing three in the top 10. Pinkerton was second as a team with 78 points. 

The top 25 individuals and top six teams from the state champions will now move on to the New England Championships held Saturday, Nov. 9 at Wickham Park in Manchester, Ct.

TEAM CHAMPIONS

Bishop Guertin’s boys 64 points; Oyster River girls 71 points

CLASS DIVISIONAL (Saturday, October 26)

DIVISION I: Bishop Guertin 65 points; Pinkerton girls 92 points

DIVISION II: Hanover boys 39 points; Hanover girls 30 points

DIVISION III: Mascoma Valley boys 74 points; Hopkinton 30 points