Oliver Ames Cross-Country Teams Sprint to Davenport Championship

It seems like the same routine happens every year during this time for the Oliver Ames cross-country teams. Usually, it runs by its competition en route to a Hockomock League title. This year was no different.

After another triumphant victory over Foxboro Tuesday afternoon, the Tigers have wrapped up another league title in the Davenport Division.

But while another league title has been secured, the Tigers are planning for bigger and better things these next few weeks.

"We wanted to win the [Davenport] division and we're happy with that, but that was one of our smaller goals. We're even more happy on how the team is running," said coach Neil Levine about the team's success up to this point. "Both the boys and the girls teams are getting better with each race and we've seen their finish times get lower and lower. Right now we look like a championship team and we're looking forward to what lies ahead for us."

Some minor fixes have helped the cross-country team over the course of the year, whether it was building on leg strength or endurance. It's another reason why the Tigers have been so competitive in cross-country for the past several years.

"We just want to go according to plan," Levine said. "As the season progresses we make some minor adjustments, but before the season we really focus on working on leg speed and building on strength and stamina so we have the endurance to make it through the last mile or so of the race.

"All-in-all the kids have done a terrific job all year and they have been a vital part to our success."

The cross-country teams are looking ahead to their next challenge, starting with the Brown invitational this weekend in Providence. However, the Tigers will be without two of their top runners – Drew Beck and Shannon Hickey – both of whom will be taking the PSAT's Saturday morning.

"It's a very fast race and it's a different course," said Levine about Saturday's event. "There's usually 3,000 or so athletes who participate in the race, so it's a good challenge for us."

After the Brown Invitational, the Tigers will have the Bay State Invitational and the Hockomock League Championships to round out their schedule for the month. In November they will take part in the State Coach's Meet on Nov. 6, while the Class Meets take place the following week and the All-States follow that on Nov. 20.

As history has shown over the years, the stretch run has been where OA has shined the brightest. Expect this to be the same again as the cross-country teams sprint to the finish line.