Top Massachusetts HS Milers Faced Off on New Balance Falmouth Road Race Weekend
FALMOUTH, MA (August 19, 2017)—The 2017 Tommy Cochary High School Mile featured some of the biggest names in boys’ and girls’ high school track in Massachusetts, and the races did not disappoint.
Grace Connolly (Natick HS) of Natick won the girls’ race in 4:56.33, smashing the meet record (5:02.49) set by Stella Worters in 2014. The next two finishers, 2016 champion Rachel Sessa (Tewksbury Memorial HS) of Tewksbury and Clare Martin (Newton South HS) of Newton also broke the old mark, running 4:56.55 and 4:59.84, respectively.
Last year, Connolly was second to Sessa. “I just pushed as hard as I could to edge her out. It worked out really well,” said Connolly, whose family spends summers in Falmouth. “I love running around here. The track is really fast. It was awesome.”
Connolly, Sessa and Martin separated from the pack quickly, with Martin leading the first two laps. Sessa made her move near the end of the final backstretch, but Connolly stayed with her and passed her as they reached the finish line.
Connolly was ranked No. 1 in Massachusetts in 2017 for indoor mile and is state champion outdoors in the 2-mile.
In the boys’ race, Mike Griffin (King Philip Regional HS) in Wrentham took the lead on the final lap and held off Tristan Shelgren (St. John’s Prep, Danvers) of Boxford to win in 4:26.08. Shelgren finished in 4:26.38, with Nick McNamee (Plymouth North HS) of Plymouth third in 4:29.29.
“I was really surprised,” said Griffin, winner of the freshman mile at the 2017 New Balance Nationals Outdoor. “I was hoping for third place at best.”
Shelgren came into the race as the reigning MIAA All-State and New England Indoor Mile Champion, finishing the indoor season ranked #2 in Massachusetts. On a hot and muggy afternoon in Falmouth, he took the lead on the second lap, before surrendering it briefly to Lucas Aramburu (Brookline HS) of Brookline. Shelgren lost the lead for good when Griffin passed him on the backstretch of the final lap.
The winning time was less than a second off the meet record of 4:25.46 set by Garrett O’Toole in 2013.
About Falmouth Road Race
The New Balance Falmouth Road Race was established in 1973 and has become one of the premier running events of the summer season. Each year the race draws an international field of Olympians, elite and recreational runners out to enjoy the iconic 7-mile seaside course. The non-profit Falmouth Road Race organization is committed to promoting health and fitness through community programs and philanthropic giving.