Ellie’s Midnight Run: Belmont High’s Shea Ventures To The Land Down Under To Race In World U20 XC Championships

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Photo: Belmont’s Ellie Shea will be racing 10,000 miles from home Saturday in a land down under.

What are you doing over the February school break? Belmont High junior Ellie Shea will be flying 10,000 miles (think of the air miles!) over 24 hours to take part in a race that takes 17 minutes to run.

Shea will be wearing the USA vest as she toes the line at the World Athletic Cross Country Championships in the outback town of Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia at around midnight Saturday, Feb. 18, Belmont time. Shea will be running in the Under-20 race competing against 72 of the world’s best young runners from 19 countries.

The two-time national high school 5,000-meter champion indoors and outdoors on the track joins a squad made up of mostly high schoolers who will take on the 6K (3.73 miles) loop course located in the infield of the Mount Panorama Circuit, which will include tire obstacles, a trip through a vineyard, and a mud field. The 17-year-old earned her spot on the team by placing second at the USATF U20 Championships in Richmond, VA in mid-January. Shea, who runs for the Emerging Elites club, finished second in December’s Champs Sports High School Cross Country Championships National Finals to her U20 teammate Karrie Baloga.

One of five races, the junior women’s race is scheduled to start at 4:10 p.m. or 1610 UTC. With Bathurst 16 hours ahead of Boston, Shea’s race will take off just after midnight on Saturday. Hopefully, Belmont will be able to watch the race live by going to the World Athletics YouTube and Facebook channels. The race will be carried live on Peacock, NBC’s streaming channel noted in the US for carrying live matches of England’s Premier League.

Australia’s oldest inland European settlement, Bathurst is three hours due west from Sydney on the expansive plains just beyond the Blue Mountain Range. The town is well-known for the aforementioned motor racing track and as a designated spot for tourism by Australians.

The weather forecast for Saturday’s race is clear skies and temperatures in the low-to-mid 90s which is not the environs that would lead one to believe there will be optimum performances.

So chookas on the big race, Ellie.

With Likely Final League Games At The ‘Skip;’ Boys’ And Girls’ Hockey Prep For Post-Season With Pink The Rink [VIDEO]

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Photo: It’s Pink the Rink at Wednesday’s games at the Skip

With the Belmont Select Board declaring two weeks ago it will not spend any more town revenue to keep the dilapidated Skip Viglirolo Skating Rink operating past this season, unless the Belmont High Boys’ and Girls’ hockey teams can secure home games in the MIAA ice hockey tournament, it’s likely this week’s pair of contests will be the final time high school matches will occur at the “Skip.”

While both teams have secured places in the post-season, the tussles at home with Arlington (Wednesday, Feb. 15) and Woburn (Saturday, Feb. 18) will determine how many additional games will be played at the half-century old rink on Concord Avenue.

Currently 8th in the MIAA Div. 1 power ranking, the boys’ (11-4-3) could have two home games in the first two rounds beginning in the final week of February. But they will need to stay 8th or lower to keep those games which will be a challenge as the Boys host the SpyPonders (13-3-2) at 7 p.m. Wednesday. This will be the third meeting this season against Arlington as Head Coach Tim Foley’s charges earned a 2-2 tie in a Middlesex League match in January while losing to the SpyPonders, 3-2 in overtime, at the Ed Burns Tournament on Feb. 5.

It’s been a bit of an unsteady February for the boys, seeing consecutive losses for the first time in several years while compiling a 1-3-1 (each loss was by a single goal) record so far in the month.

Belmont will be relying on senior forward co-captain Cam Fici who has reached 100 career points in 52 games with 68 goals. Fici lines up with senior co-captain Shay Donahue . The Marauders puts out one of the top defensive pairs in the state with seniors captains Joseph Gaziano and Peter Grace who play in front of senior goalie Greg Federico.

The Belmont High Girls’ team have been hanging around a home game placement for the past month, currently ranked 18th (if the season ends with no changes would mean a road trip to Maratha’s Vineyard in the first round) as they prepare to meet the Div. 1 8th ranked SpyPonders who are 11-3-2. But one of Arlington’s losses was to the Marauders, a 4-3 victory in January, while Belmont only lost the other encounter, the season opener, 1-0.

For the Marauders, it all starts from the back with four-year starter and the heart of the squad Bridget Gray who has compiled 2,000 saves in her standout career between the pipes. The defense is anchored by juniors Alex Townsend and Jane Caputo while the offense can be found with senior co-captains Lily Duffy and Cece Carere, the Taylor sisters – sophomore Sadie and junior Mia – and first year Mackenzie Clarke.

Wednesday’s games will be special as the Marauders are holding a Pink The Rink fundraiser with all proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Organization. There will be a 50/50 raffle, refreshments and stuff to wear on sale.

Second Bite: Municipal Rink Returns Before Voters As Select Board OKs Debt Exclusion On Town Election Ballot

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Photo: Members of the Municipal Skating Rink Building Committee before the Select Board Feb. 6

The Belmont Select Board unanimously approved a ballot question on the April 4 annual Town Election to allow residents to vote on a debt exclusion to pay for a new, year-round municipal rink and sports facility, replacing the current Concord Avenue facility that was called “effectively dead.”

“This is not about an old rink and a new rink. This is about a new rink or no rink,” said Adam Dash, at the board’s Monday, Feb. 6 meeting.

This will be a second bite at the apple for the new rink after the initial proposal went down to defeat, 6,051 to 5,710, in the 2022 November general election.

The decision by the Select Board was not surprising as the night it was defeated, the board’s chair, Mark Paolillo said the closeness of the vote and the deteriorating condition of the existing 55-year-old rink would likely see the board revisit a possible debt exclusion.

What pushed the effort to fund a new rink was a month of dramas at the rink as warm weather and faulty equipment delayed the rinks opening and operations by more than a month. The headaches started with leaking condensers, the chiller that is about to fail, and finding an existing refrigerant supply that the US EPA has banned. On top of mechanical issue, an unusually warm late fall prevented rink ice to properly form as the building’s envelop is open to the outside elements. It took nearly a net of $30,000 in emergency town funds and a cold snap to get the rink up and running for the 2022-3 season.

And the price tag to allow the rink to open next fall in its current consition will be $275,000, said Ted Galante, the project’s architect. That doesn’t include the cost replacing numerous systems that are about to fail in the near future: plumbing, HVAC, the hot water heater, and it’s compromised electrical system.

When asked by Paolillo by if he would invest in the existing structure, Galante’s answer was unequivocal: “No.”

“The rink’s broken. I think it’s effectively dead. We can live through March and that’s probably the end of it,” said Dash.

The Building Committee presented the board with a 2.0 version of the past design, a leaner, cleaner, and less expensive second look at the proposal defeated by approximately 350 votes three months previous.

“This building is kept very simple,” said Galante, noting a low-sloping roof with $1.1 million of solar panels, and an entry that will have visual access to Concord Avenue and the playing fields west of Harris Field.

The most significant change is it will be “brand new” with no attempt to keep recycling the steel beams or other recoverable material. This will allow the structure to be reduced in size from 48,000 sq. ft. to 40,313 sq. ft. in a rectangular-shaped building located slightly north of the existing rink. The rink will occupy 30,000 sq. ft. Cost reductions from the original proposal include eliminating the proposed 3,000 sq. ft. observation mezzanine, 1,000 sq. ft. space for the DPW, and leaving the White Field House in place. The new shape will allow for possible future buildout when the White Field House is removed.

The entry to the new municipal skating rink

“I think what’s come out [of the latest design] was fantastic. I think it’s an efficient, clean design that provides what’s needed,” said Roy Epstein of the Select Board.

While there are design cuts from the first design, “we should be clear that the program that we’re putting forward has not been compromised,” said Tom Caputo, member of the building committee, as the rink will still have four dressing rooms – mostly for hockey events – and four locker rooms designed to serve the various different sports throughout the fall, winter, and spring that are currently in the Field House.

Galante said this structure would be a year-round operation, which will allow the town’s Recreation Department will offer activities such as town camp activity and possibly tennis courts during the seven months the rink will be without ice, an idea advocated by neighbor Anne Paulson.

The total cost of the new proposal is $29,953,000 million, a reduction of $5.1 million from the original cost defeated in November. Supporters are hopeful to reduce the total cost fronted by taxpayers with fundraisers and business donations.

“What the town needs to hear is that this is not just a skating rink,” said Building Committee Chair Mark Haley, noting how the structure serves the high school teams, the Recreation Department, and as a staging area for events such as road races and community functions.

Epstein said he sees a new rink as a community asset as the Underwood Pool was when it was rebuilt in 2015. “When we built a new, modern pool, membership rocketed, he said, noting that as a 12 month facility usage will increase with those who don’t skate or play hockey.

“This is going to serve our community. It’s going to be an addition to our town,” said Dante Muzzioli of the Building Committee.

If passed in April, Haley said the demolition of the existing rink would take place immediately after the vote – with the assistance of town funding – which will cause the youth and high school hockey programs to lose only a single season as the new structure could open as early as the late fall of 2024.

“I think voters need to decide based on all this new information, this new design and the lower cost,” said Dash. “And if it’s no, then the people have spoken.

Belmont Girls’ Hoops Ups Record To 7-2 With Defensive Gem Over Reading, 52-42

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Photo: Belmont High’s sophomore Cortney Howell in action against the Reading Rockets

Belmont High Girls’ Basketball Head Coach Shantell Jeter could only shrug when asked about her team’s what has become all to familar start to a game. After scoring the first basket via senior captain Sophie McDevitt, the Marauders were bombarded by a young Reading High squad with three threes and a long two to find themselves down, 11-2, after two minutes.

“We often have slower starts,” said Jeter who is in her first year at the helm of the Marauders. “We’ve been talking about the importance of having faster starts” noting that the team needed more possession “and go harder at the other team.”

Belmont High Senior Co-Capt. Sophie McDevitt gets inside

That “being harder” is exactly what the Marauders did for the remainder of the game, holding the Rockets (4-3) to a total of six points over the middle two quarters while making enough of a scoring run to come off the court with a 52-42 victory, pushing up its record to 7-2. Belmont’s two losses were to undefeated Winchester and top-ten Newton North (7-1)

”Everyone contributed today. Everyone was hustling. We had people diving on the floor which is what we love,” said Jeter. “We had the girls getting in there wrapping up the ball every time someone held it.”

After an early timeout, the Marauders start to right the ship with a hard nose, man-to-man defense – demonstrated by a monster block by sophomore Cortney Howell of an attempted three – that cut the lead to 18-11 at the end of the first quarter.

For the next two quarters, Belmont’s team defense was the star, as it bodied up to the Rocket players, winning nearly every defensive rebounding opportunity – thanks to Howell, sophomore Symone Jackson and junior Julia Herlihy – and just frustrating each offensive venture Reading had Friday.

On the break with Belmont High first year Sophia McClendon vs. the Reading High Rockets

“They’re playing better defense together every time,” Jeter said.

The defensive stand was needed as Belmont continues to make questionable shot selections for long portions of the game. While keeping the Rockets to six points, the Marauders scored 23 in the middle quarters (leading 23-21 at the half and 34-24 after three), led by sophomore Linda Sheng with eight and first year Sophia McClandon at five.

The final eight minutes turned into a grinding affair with every Reading scoring run answered by the Marauders including a killer 3 from McClandon – who tied Sheng with 9 points to lead the Marauders in the game – at the 5:36 mark to give Belmont a 10 point lead, 38-28. Junior Mia Ferrari buried six consecutive from the charity stripe, scoring six of the final eight points to finish off the game.

Next up for the Marauders will be at 6-1 Wakefield away on Tuesday and away at winless Arlington Friday.

With Participation Climbing, Belmont High Wrestling Sees A Growing Future

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Photo: Belmont High wrestler Jaden O’Connor

Nearly 30 Belmont High wrestlers crowded on end of the on one end of the mat, cheering on senior Amir Nurhussien as he grappled with his Melrose opponant and is getting the better of him. Even if it was a junior varsity tilt, Nurhussien’s team mates couldn’t have been more involved if it was a final match for a tournament win.

With a slew of new converts – some having only wrestled for a grand total of 12 days – and returning vets, Belmont High wrestling is re-energizing its program that was a force in the 1990s with multiple state medalists and teams that could rack up the points in tournaments and meets.

“We’re still in a building phase right now but it’s growing fast,” said Craig Janjigian, Belmont’s new head coach. “Because if my memory serves me right, this is the largest turnout that we’ve had since I was [ a student] here.”

Belmont welcomed current Division 3 state champion Melrose to its new spacious, brightly lit home on the floor of the Wenner Field House. “And they showed to us they are state champs,” said Assistant Coach Andy MacAulay

“But there was no quit in us tonight,’ said MacAulay who stepped down from leading the program to take on an assistant role. “And that’s always what you got to have first before you can do anything else. And most of them were offensive minded, which I’m thrilled because a lot of kids in their first season aren’t. I’m very excited to see where we are in the middle of February.”

“Belmont does not shy away from competition,” said Janjigian.

This season, Belmont brings back its only state finalist from last year, senior Rowan Devitt at 113 lbs., who lost a close match against the Raiders, and a pair of outstanding grapplers: Andre “AJ” Sweet (132 lbs.) and Jaden O’Connor (145 lbs.)

In his match, Sweet was down 6-1 midway into the second period when he decided the time was right to end the match by pinning his competition.

Belmont’s dominating performance at the meet came from O’Connor as he went up 10-0 after one period with a series of quick combination moves. But towards the end of the second and up 12-3, O’Connor found himself with his back to the mat in danger of being pinned. But O’Connor reestablished his dominance, finishing the win on his back, exhausted.

The program’s future was on display last week with the JV wrestlers, many made up of those two week wonders. There were victories for the aforementioned Nurhussien and learning moments for others. The loudest noise from the stands came when Ava Svistunov (106), the sole girl on the team, strode into the circle. After controlling much of her match, Svistunov’s Melrose opponent took advantage of his upper body strength to pin her. But her performances have demonstrated to her coaches that she “is the real deal.”

With 7th and 8th graders attending classes in the same building beginning this coming September, it will allow the sport to establish a middle school program on site using the same facilities.

“That’s how I got my start was a youth program. It’s crucial to have a feeder program because you’re not exposed to wrestling like kids are to most other sports like basetball or football.,” said Janjigian. “We actually have a good amount of kids who are going to be successful this year. Success breeds success; it’s a positive feedback.”

Belmont High Girls’ Hoops Start Season With The ‘W’ Giving Marauders’ Coach Her First Ever Victory [VIDEO]

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Photo: Smiles all-around as Belmont Head Coach Shantell Jeter (with assistant Jamel Langston) take the victory in her first game as a head coach.

Three Belmont players scored in double digits and a swarming defense provided first-time head coach Shantell Jeter a win as the Belmont High Girls’ Basketball Marauders defeated Stoneham, 58-49, in the ‘22-‘23 season opener on Tuesday, Dec. 14 in Belmont.

“It was very exciting,” said Jeter after her first game in charge of a varsity program.

“It’s just a great way to come out in our first game to send out a message that we are here, we have a new team, fresh start and we’re really excited for the season.”

Belmont High Head Coach Shantell Jeter

Tuesday was a night for the youngsters to shine. Leading the way was first year forward Sophia McClendon who led all scorers with 17 points including a pair of threes as she came up with 7 points in the final frame when Stoneham cut the deficit to four points with less than two minutes remaining.

“At first I was a little nervous, but once I started scoring the nerves just went away,” said McClendon of her debut.

Junior Mia Ferrari ended with 11 points, nailing five free throws in the fourth while sophomore Linda Sheng drained 10 points.

It was a classic first contest out of the gate with a lot of rust needing to be removed by both teams. It appeared Belmont was ready to run away with the game in the first eight minutes, holding the Spartans to a single basket in the final seconds to take a 13-2 lead after one quarter. But Stoneham would benefit from the Marauders’ propensity to commit fouls that put the Spartans in the bonus early in the second quarter and on the line. A late burst saw Belmont leave the court with a 26-16 lead at the break.

An early three from sophomore forward Symone Jackson pushed Belmont’s advantage to 33-22 only for the Spartans to cut the lead to six after three, 35-29. McClendon started the fourth with a three and then bucket from inside to push the advantage to 11, 42-31, and when sophomore guard Brynn Connelly hit the trey from deep, the Marauders looked as if they bagged the win. But Stoneham would creep back in the game from the charity stripe and come within four points, 50-46, with 1:44 left. But Ferrari would hit consecutive free throws at the minute mark to put the game away.

Next up for Belmont will be Middlesex Liberty foe Winchester on Friday, Dec. 16, part of a doubleheader with the boys.

BHS Winter Sports Season Starts With New Faces And Big Goals

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Photo: Belmont High’s Colin Galloway scores with his back to the basket during a scrimmage with Cambridge Rindge and Latin High at Wenner Field House.

It was appropriate that the first snowfall of the year would occur on the same week the Belmont High School Winter Sports season begins in earnest.

The biggest changes will be seen at the Coach Paul Lyons court at the Wenner Field House as both boys and girls hoops welcome new head coaches. Shantell Jeter takes the helm of Girls’ varsity while Darren Martinez – who is a BHS and Wellington physical ed teacher – will patrol the sidelines as the Boys’ varsity squad. The girls’ season opener is Tuesday, Dec. 13 vs Stoneham while the boys’ will open its account on Friday against Winchester at 5:15 p.m. with the girls’ taking the court at 7 p.m.

Belmont High’s first year Head Coach Darren Martinez.

Over at the Skip, expectations are running high as the Boys’ Hockey team under Head Coach Tim Foley brings back the heart of the team that went to the state Division 1 quarterfinals. The team, led by 30-plus goal scorer Cam Fici and all-state defensive pairing of Peter Grace and Joe Gaziano, have been in every Top-10 preseason poll as they will battle in one the most competitive leagues in the country, the Middlesex Liberty with perennial powerhouses Arlington, Winchester, Reading and Woburn.

The winter season got underway on Monday, Dec. 12 with the Girls’ Hockey team traveled to Arlington to face the SpyPonders who last year as 18-1-1 and finished the season in the Division 1 state finals. Under the tutelage of Ken Murphy, the Marauders’ (6-10-3 in ‘21-‘22) keep the match tight led by last year’s all-star and team MVP senior co-captain Bridget Gray who stopped 29 of 30 shots as Belmont fell, 1-0.

Belmont Girls’ (and Boys’ Hockey will play their home openers on Wednesday, Dec. 14 against Stoneham. Both Marauder teams will return to the Skip on Saturday, Dec. 17 vs. Melrose.

Boys’ Swimming are in the Higginbottom on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 4:30 p.m. vs. Winchester and Friday, Dec. 16 vs. Watertown and Arlington. Girls’ and Boys’ indoor track will begin its campaign at Winchester on Thursday, Dec. 15 while Wrestling will host Melrose in the Little Gym at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 15.

BHS Ellie Shea Takes Second In Champs National HS X-C Championship [VIDEO]

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Photo: Belmont High’s Ellie Shea finishing second in the credit: (Credit: Photorun for Champs Sports Cross Country)

Belmont High junior Ellie Shea turned last year’s DNF (Did Not Finish) into an impressive second place finish at the 43rd Champs Sports Cross Country Championships National Finals held Saturday, Dec. 10 , at Morley Field at Balboa Park in San Diego.

Racing in bright morning sunshine with temperatures in the mid-50s, Shea – wearing her trademark sunglasses – was dropped by Karrie Baloga of New Winchester, NY at the final hill on the 5,000 meter course to take the runner’s up position. The result was a reversal of the Northeast Regional race two weeks previous which Shea beat Baloga by 12 seconds.

Shea was running in only her third cross country race of the year coming a week after starting her indoor season for Emerging Elites running club racing over 3,000 meters against mostly professional runners in 9:10. Shea is the defending 5,000 meter national high school indoor track champion and won the 2021 national 5,000 meter outdoor high school championship where she smashed the freshman record by half a minute.

Baloga, a senior from Cornwall Central High School, controlled the early pace across the first loop leading through the mile with a swift 5:17.3 split. At the 1.5 mile mark, the lead group was reduced to four as Baloga, Shea, and seniors Paityn Noe from Huxley, Iowa and Ciara O’Shea of Richmond, Ky.

Quickly O’Shea was dropped and it was the last three who would all shared the lead several times during the remained of the race. Shea took the group through the two-mile mark with a split time of 10:55.4.

The trio ran within strides of each other until the steep uphill/downhill stretch that looms in the final half mile. From there it was all Baloga, who pulled away capping off one of the most competitive girls’ races in recent memory. Shea would dip under 17 minutes crossing the finish line in 16:55.1, six seconds ahead of Noe in 17:01.5. Rounding out the top five were sophomore Abby Faith Cheeseman (Bell Buckle, Tenn.) in fourth at 17:13.4 and O’Shea in fifth at 17:21.5. 

You can watch Shea’s impressive race below: The race begins at the one-hour mark (1:00.00) and a short post race interview with Ellie is at 1:42.30

Belmont High’s Fenway Football Dream Dashed By Watertown, 21-7, In Centennial Clash

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Photo: Fenway Park was the setting for the centennial clash between Belmont and Watertown

There was only one appropriate location to play the centennial game in the long Belmont/Watertown football rivalry. And in the Boston area, that would be historic Fenway Park.

While Marauders would fall in the game, 21-7, on a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns by Watertown’s running back William McHugh, the event was a once in a lifetime experience for the teams and fans who ventured into Boston’s Back Bay on the day before Thanksgiving.

Photo: Brandon Fitts

With only passing clouds and temperatures in the high 40s, the pregame atmosphere was loud and joyous, with teens and kids banding about the “lyric little bandbox of a ballpark,” with the Belmont High marching band performing the greatest hits. The Belmont and Watertown police departments joined in a combined color guard, as did the chorus’ from the high schools to sing the National Anthem. A highly successful pregame event hosted by Belmont Police Chief James McIssacs raised funds for the Junior Marauders, the middle school football program where most of the high school players get their start in the sport.

Photo: Brandon Fitts

The hundreds of fans filled nearly the entire Red Sox side stands, with the Watertown contingency making up most of the spectators. But with everyone preparing for the long Thanksgiving holiday and the accompanying meal, the supporters and students from both schools were in good spirits for the 100th meeting between the border rivals.

It was a game that, by appearance and talent, Belmont (4-6) held the advantage: larger offensive and defensive lines led by junior Max Cornelius and senior Asa Rosenmeier, an all-star running back in junior Adrien Gurung, and three quick receivers – seniors Ben William and Chris Cogliano and junior Brian Logan – that towered over the defensive backs covering them.

Photo: Brandon Fitts

While Watertown (7-4) had suffered four consecutive losses in their final five games, two of the Raider’s losses were to Super Bowl-bound opponents – Stoneham and Wakefield – and its run-centric offense had McHugh and Payton Andrade, the Raiders’ go-to backs who were the ground forces along with senior QB Johnny Cacace, the son of Watertown’s Head Coach John Cacace.

Watertown started the game with a promising drive – which included converting a fourth down near midfield – before a sack and a near interception forced a fourth and 15 from the Belmont 31, which the Raiders failed to make with six minutes on the clock. Belmont’s first time with the ball saw junior QB Jayden Arno find junior Bryce Hubbard to the Watertown 25, only to be negated by a false start.

Photo: Brandon Fitts

After receiving a punt, Watertown started from its 31 and drove the field on its second six-minute-plus drive, scoring when the Watertown’s coaches son, Cacace, rounded the right corner and carried a Belmont defender nine yards into the end zone with 6:31 left.

Belmont would have its own impressive drive, including converting its own fourth down. A series of runs brought the ball to the six-yard line with a first down but only 39 seconds remaining. And it appeared that Belmont had squandered its chance as time ran out when Arno ran out of bounds on the 5-yard line. But a late hit personal foul on Watertown gave Belmont one final play in the half at the 1-yard line with zeros on the clock.

When Belmont needed a short conversion throughout the season, they placed Rosenmeier, the 6’5”, 300 lb USA Rugby U18 National team player and the anchor of the Belmont offense/defense lines, in the backfield and dared the other team to stop him. The outcome was a given as Rosenmeier barreled over center into the end zone to knot the score at seven at halftime.

The third quarter saw Belmont’s defense start on the right foot, halting Watertown with a sack. Belmont could only advance the ball five yards, and a short punt had Watertown starting at their 44 midway through the quarter. Watertown then would go on a grinding, time-consuming drive where the Raiders’ gained big chunks of territory on each attempt. It appeared Belmont had finally stopped the Raiders’ with Watertown facing a fourth and three yards to go from the Belmont 11 when the quarter ended.

Rather than attempt a field goal, Watertown’s McHugh swept around the right side to the Belmont two-yard line. McHugh scored on his second attempt to give the Raiders’ a 14-7 lead. Belmont faced a third and one at its 45 when G. broke a 20-yard romp up the middle to bring the ball to the 35. But unlike Watertown’s success on fourth down, Belmont could not convert a fourth and three yards from the 29-yard line with six minutes remaining. The Marauders’ defense immediately stiffened, putting Watertown into a second down and 14. But a ten-yard pickup and two yards on third down had Watertown facing a fourth down and one yard at its own 47-yard line with two minutes remaining on the clock.

But once again, Watertown could not be stopped on fourth down. With the clock winding down, Belmont could hope for a quick stop, but McHugh would take the next play up the gut of the Marauder defense and sprint untouched 55 yards into the end zone with 1:41 remaining. An interception sealed the game, and the celebration began on the Watertown side while Belmont sat near the Green Monster to discuss the game.

Watertown currently leads the series, 50-45-5. Belmont will need to wait 366 days before it gets a chance to begin a winning streak as the game returns to Thanksgiving day, next year at Victory Field in Watertown.

Belmont’s Ellie Shea Heads To National XC Championships After Winning Northeast Regional

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Photo: Ellie Shea (Credit: John Nepolian, New Balance National Indoor)

Last year, then-Belmont High sophomore Ellie Shea stepped off the course at the 2021 national high school cross country championship while racing with the lead pack. Something didn’t seem right, so Shea did the wise choice and decided to wait for another day.

That day comes in less than two weeks as Shea again toes the starting line at the Champs Sports Cross Country – formerly the Foot Locker Cross Country – Championships in San Diego after running away with the Northeast Regional title in historic Van Cortland Park in the Bronx on Nov. 26.

Finishing sixth in last year’s regional, Shea started with the lead pack before upping her tempo and dropping a stellar field by the two-mile mark, widening her lead over the five kilometer (3.1 miles) course before finishing in 17:10.7, a clear 100 meters over second place Karrilynn Baloga of New Windsor, NY who clocked in at 17:24.9.

With the victory, Shea returns to the championships in San Diego where she will meet the top harriers from across the country over the 5km course in Bilbao Park. The race will take place on Saturday, Dec. 10, starting at 9:15 a.m. (12:15 p.m. Eastern)

Watch the National Championship LIVE! on Facebook or Youtube or Twitter

A dual indoor (2022) and outdoor (2021) 5,000 meter high school national champion, Shea has been breaking records – from such stars as Olympian Lynn Jennings and Lesley Welch – from the mile to the 10K on the track and roads in the past six months. In June at Bentley University, Shea lowered her personal best in the 1500 meters to 4:14.35, a state and New England high school record which is the eighth fastest all-time mark in US high school history.

In October, she ran with professional runners in the Boston 10K for Women finishing ninth in 34:11, the 9th fastest 10km road performance in the world this year by women 20 years old and under and the fastest U20 10km in North America this year by nearly two minutes.