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Cross takes 14th as Astros qualify

NASHUA — The conditions were not at all like Pinkerton junior Meghan Cross would have preferred for Saturday's Meet of Champions at Nashua South High School.

"The mud and the wind were pretty bad, especially the mud," said Cross. "You had to watch your footing all the time."

Thus, Cross's time of 19:03.7 on the Mines Falls 5K course was not at all like she wanted ("I was hoping for the low 18s," she said), but it was good enough for 14th place to pace the Astros to fourth overall and a qualifying spot in next weekend's New England meet for the sixth straight year.

Exeter was a surprise winner with 118 points, three ahead of runner-up Coe-Brown. A young Salem team finished eighth, two spots from advancing to New England, which will be at Derryfield Park in Manchester.

"It wasn't our best day but we did better than I thought at first," said Pinkerton coach Amy Bernard. "The conditions definitely weren't good, but they were the same for everyone.

"I think we have the potential to race a lot better. We'd like to be the top team in New Hampshire next week (at New England)."

Pinkerton's second runner was improving freshman Mariesa Preble, who was 37th in 19:55.5, which was her first time under 20 minutes for 5K,  while classmate Riley Sweeney was 54th in a personal-best 20:17.9.

Salem was paced by freshman Bethany Graham, who was 39th in 19:55.9 while classmate Natalie Coryea was next, in 45th, and junior Silvia Caddell was 50th.

The second individual from the area, and qualifying for New England, was Sanborn senior Avery Scully. She came in 20th with a superb time of 19:18.4.

The individual winner was impressive freshman Sophia Reynolds of Merrimack Valley, who came across the line in 17:59.6.