Colonials take top spot in Mid-Wach race
By Ken Powers Contributing Writer

Shrewsbury - With its top five runners finishing in the top 13 and all seven harriers being among the top 25 runners to cross the finish line, the Shrewsbury High boys cross country team captured the Mid-Wach A league meet, held Oct. 27 at Ghiloni Park in Marlborough.

The Colonials edged longtime rival Wachusett, 33- 46, for the victory with Algonquin, North Middlesex, Milford, Leominster and Fitchburg following closely behind.

Anthony Frissora was the Colonials' top finisher, coming in second overall, covering the 3.1-mile course in 17:32. He was followed by teammates Chris Covello (fourth overall, in 18:04), Brent Underkoffler (sixth overall, in 18:05), Chris Favulli (eighth overall, in 18:14), John Murray (13th overall, in 18:28), Dan Thomas (19th overall, in 19:07) and Brandon Kraemer (25th overall, in 19:18).

Covello, Underkoffler and Thomas are all seniors, Frissora is a junior, Favulli a sophomore, Murray and Kraemer are freshmen.

"I'm very happy for the guys," Shrewsbury coach Jim Smith said. "They've worked very hard all season and overcame a lot to get to this point."

The victory in the league meet allowed the Colonials to improve over last year's

" showing in the same event. Shrewsbury was second in the 2006 Mid-Wach A league meet, being beaten by North Middlesex, 73-75.

Frissora was sixth overall last year (in 17:57), Covello was 14th (in 18:30), Underkoffler was 18th (in 18:50) and Favulli was 20th (in 18:54).

With two regular-season dual meets remaining, the 9-0 Colonials have a shot at finishing the regular season undefeated. Shrewsbury's remaining meets are with cross-town rival St. John's and longtime foe Nashoba.

Smith said he hasn't been completely surprised with the Colonials' success this season.

"Every year is its own entity, but we thought we had a shot to be better this season," Smith said. "We knew we came within two points of winning the league meet last year and we knew we had most of those guys back. You just never know from year to year how kids are going to respond to the challenges placed before them."

Resolution has been a buzz word for the team this season as the Colonials have hurdled several obstacles, not the least of which was Covello's return from the serious injury he suff ered last year.

Covello returned with a flourish, however, battling Underkoffler and Frissora all season for the honor of being the Colonials' No. 1 runner.

"Chris really rebounded faster than anyone expected and was quickly back to full strength," Smith said, "while Brent has had a career year and Anthony has continued to mature and get stronger. He was a key for us last year as a sophomore and has been an even bigger key for us this season. Those three, as well as the whole team, have really surprised me. They surpassed what I thought they'd be able to do this season."

Just like they improved in the league meet from last year to this year, the Colonials will look to do the same in the Central Mass. Division 1 Cross Country Championships.

Shrewsbury finished fourth last year behind St. John's, Gardner and Nashoba, three perennial powers expected to be strong again this season.