Girls' Cross-Country Team Hoping to Build on Last Year's Success [VIDEO]

Last season, coach Jenn Rodier led girls’ cross-country team to an undefeated record in league and dual meets and a first place finish in the Northeastern Conference. 

The team also finished third overall in the Division IV Eastern Massachusetts cross-country meet and finished ninth at the state competition.

This year's returning runners are hoping to build on last season's success and have been hard at work all summer getting ready for opening day at the Newburyport Relays on Sept. 10.

“I’m looking forward to a very successful season,” Rodier said. “Our goal is to work hard and finished better than we did last year.”

Senior co-captains Madeline Piela and Molly Sweeney will lead a team that has several varsity runners returning in 2011. Rodier also said that there are some promising newcomers hoping to make their mark on the team this fall.

“The team has started off on a great note, and we’re all looking forward to a great season,” Rodier said.

In addition to her captains, Rodier is looking for big things from Lillie Johnston, Carly Robb, Lily Roberts and Jo Jo Twaalhoven.

“We did finish 7-0 in the league last year, and we’d like to do that again, absolutely,” Piela said. “Our closest race was with Beverly so, we’re looking forward to going up against them this season.”

"We've worked very hard to get ready for this year, I have a lot of confidence in this team, we're very competitive," Sweeney said.

Marblehead hosts the Panthers on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at 3:45 p.m. at . The girls also have a big test at Peabody on Tuesday, Sept. 20.

The team will close the regular season on Oct. 24 at Swampscott, before the NEC and State Meets.

For a look at the team's 2011 schedule, click here.

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