Natalie Mako of Frontier returns from injury to finish second at Northfield
1
2
3
NORTHFIELD - Natalie Mako of Frontier Regional missed most of the season with an injury. That didn't stop her from having quite the finish Saturday in the Western Massachusetts Division 2 Cross Country Championship.
The junior, who returned to running three weeks ago, finished second in 20 minutes, 47.92 seconds on the 5k course at Northfield Mountain.
"I was just trying to do the best I can," Mako said. "I was surprised I got second."
A stress fracture in her femur sidelined her for the summer and most of the fall.
"I'm just grateful," Mako said. "I wanted to do the best I could and make my coaches (Bob Smith and Walt Flynn) proud. They have been really understanding with the whole thing, and so have my teammates."
Emily Kaegi of Mount Greylock won in 20:29.05. The Mounties also won the team title with 35 points. Lenox was second with 81 and Holyoke Catholic third in 96.
"The Greylock girl was in front of me the whole way," Mako said. "I was trying to catch up to her but she got away from me in the end."
Brittany Dalton of Hampshire Regional placed third in 20:54.68. The junior was well rested for the race, which was the first of the day.
"I go to bed every night at 9," Dalton said. "I need my sleep. I also wake up at 5, maybe earlier. I'm a morning person."
Staci Rezendes of Holyoke Catholic finished fourth in 21:11.44. The senior bounced back from last season, when she placed 15th.
"Last year I was burnt out and I was sick and I didn't finish well," Rezendes said. "I'm pretty happy with this year."
Abigail Imelio of Granby was 11th in 22:03.51, while Katie Clark of Gateway Regional placed 12th in 22:06.62. Clark is the first girl from Gateway to qualify for the state meet.
Casey Imelio of Granby (19th, 22:25.76) and Julie Roberts of Hampshire (22nd, 22:41.47) also qualified for the state meet.
Mike Moran can be reached at mmoran@gazettenet.com.
