The 2024 season was one for the books for the St. Paul's Boys Cross Country team. A combination of grit, growth, and remarkable team spirit defined their journey across a highly competitive schedule. With standout performances across invitationals, head-to-head matchups, and championship races, SPS proved to be a dominant force in New England prep school running.
A Strong Start
The team opened the season in dominant fashion at theÂ
Groton Invitational on September 14, securingÂ
two convincing wins, defeatingÂ
Groton School (21-38)Â andÂ
Lawrence Academy (17-46). Just four days later, SPS claimedÂ
1st place at theÂ
Lakes Region Race #1Â hosted by Holderness, outpacing six other schools.
Impressive Invitational Showings
St. Paul's held their own on a larger stage at theÂ
Manchester Invitational (Sept. 21), placingÂ
7th out of 44 teams, showcasing their depth in a field of powerhouse programs.
They followed this with a dominantÂ
1st place finish at theÂ
NMH Invitational (Sept. 28), beating out teams such as Andover, Loomis, and Cushing. The win reaffirmed their strength as a team ready to contend at the highest levels.
Midseason Challenges and Highs
In early October, SPS faced some tough competition. Despite a narrow loss toÂ
Deerfield (32-25)Â on Oct. 5 and a competitive field at theÂ
Andover Invitational (Oct. 11), the team rebounded quickly.
They clinched anotherÂ
1st place finish at theÂ
Northern New England Invitational on Oct. 9 and dominated at theÂ
Capital Area Race in Concord on Oct. 17. These victories highlighted their resilience and ability to perform under pressure.
Though they fell in a close match againstÂ
Phillips Exeter (33-23)Â during Family Weekend and tookÂ
4th place in a stacked field at the secondÂ
Andover Invitational, the boys never lost sight of their larger goals.
Champions of the Lakes Region
One of the major highlights of the season came onÂ
October 30, when SPS captured theÂ
Lakes Region Cross Country Championship title on their home course. It was a fitting tribute to their season-long consistency and teamwork.
Capping it Off at NEPSACs
The team closed out the season with a strong showing at theÂ
NEPSAC Division I Championships held at Hotchkiss onÂ
November 9, placingÂ
5th overall among the region's best.
Final Thoughts
WithÂ
multiple invitational victories, aÂ
Lakes Region Championship, and aÂ
top-5 finish at NEPSACs, the 2024 St. Paul's Boys Cross Country team leaves a legacy of hard work, leadership, and camaraderie. The bar has been set high for future seasons—and the program's future looks bright.
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