MANCHESTER, N.H. - Jill Campbell has spent her first high school season at the front of the pack. On Saturday, the Lebanon freshman finished the job, winning the girls individual title at the division cross country championships at Derryfield Park.
Campbell covered the 5-kilometer course in 18:28.9 and won by a wide margin. Hanover senior Aria Deeb was second in 19:17.5, more than 48 seconds back.
It was the latest win in a breakout fall. Campbell won the small-school race on the same Derryfield Park course at the Manchester Invitational in September, finishing in 18:36, more than 50 seconds ahead of the runner-up, and led Lebanon to the team title. She won the Woods Trail Run at Thetford Academy in early October and took first at the league championship meet in Norwich, Vt., in 18:53.6.
Lebanon coach Kevin Lozeau saw this coming. He said in September that the Raiders knew the talent in the incoming freshman class after Lebanon won the middle school state championship last fall. “We saw this on the horizon, but I am really impressed at how well they have transitioned to the 5K right off the bat,” Lozeau said.
Freshmen filled four of Lebanon’s top six spots as the Raiders girls placed third as a team on Saturday with 76 points, behind Hanover (32) and Oyster River (59). Freshman Carolyn Campbell was 11th in 20:41.1, senior Ollie Hanna was 17th, freshman Victoria Pomeroy was 19th and senior Maeve Finnegan was 30th, with freshman Raeka Mikecz 31st.
On the boys side, Lebanon placed fifth of 15 teams with 155 points. Junior Brent Paige led the Raiders in 27th in 18:23.7, with senior Alistair Smith (28th), junior Ian Kiefer (30th), sophomore Curran Pool (32nd) and senior Koen Christie (38th) close behind. Andrew Campbell (43rd) and Axel Ericson (48th) also ran.
Lebanon’s girls are next at the Meet of Champions on Saturday, November 7, at Hopkinton State Fairgrounds, at 2:30 p.m.
That wraps up the day for Lebanon High School sports. We’ll see you next time!