At Saturday’s McNiff Relays held at Bishop Fenwick, the school’s girls team of Julia Davis, Adelaide Sweatman, and Marianna Kay successfully defended their title in the 3-mile course with a four-second win against Greater Lowell. Fenwick’s girls teams finished seventh, 16th, 17th, and 20th in the 30-team field.
The Crusader boys came out strong with Sam Appleyard, Doron Appleyard, and freshman Chris Kay finishing fifth. Fenwick’s other boys teams placed 11th, 15th, and 22nd in the 32-team field.
In the co-ed race made up of two girls and a boy, the Crusaders finished first and second with strong finishes from the Appleyard twins, as well as Marianna Kay, Davis, Sweatman and Olivia Rowe. They placed sixth, ninth, 10th, and 11th in that race.
As for a full-season outlook, Fenwick returns all of its girl runners, with several becoming stronger and more experienced, according to Doyle.
“The confidence is sky high for the girls,” he said.
For the girls (5-1 last season), their top-three runners will be Davis, Marianna Kay, and Sweatman, who is coming off an injury she suffered as a freshman. Sophomore Rowe has also made an impression and emerged for the Crusaders.
“She (Rowe) has made some big steps forward,” Doyle said.
Caroline Blatchford, a Catholic Central League All-Star last fall, returns as Fenwick’s fifth runner.
That said, it’s a different story for the boys, who are off to a “moderate” start, according to Doyle.
Top runners consist of the Appleyard twins, who have led the way for the past two seasons. They will now be joined by promising freshman Chris Kay, brother of Marianna.
Newcomer Liam Sullivan looks “very strong,” according to Doyle, as do Nondas Lagonakis and John Reilly, who round out the top five.
