The boys’ and girls’ BFA cross-country teams traveled to Thetford, Vt. on Saturday, Oct. 31 to compete in the 2020 Vermont State Championships. While the event may have looked different due to the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic (such as a lack of spectators or a JV “challenge” race), BFA’s varsity teams brought home the best placements either team has seen in years.

The girls’ team was led by Loghan Hughes (‘22), who placed 10th in the division-one race with a time of 20:43. Hughes is a first-year runner for BFA and is hoping to break the BFA girls’ record for the fastest 5k time next year.

Next, was Caitlyn Dasaro (‘21), who placed 17th with a time of 21:54. Not far behind her was Tara Ditch (‘23), who placed 24th with a time of 22:16.

BFA’s last four runners finished with an extremely tight pack, with Quincy Fournier (‘21) placing 27th with a time of 22:25, Ruby Dasaro (‘24) placing 29th with a time of 22:26 and Lauren-Kate Garceau (‘23) placing 30th with a time of 22:27. Garceau said she is, “really proud of the effort [the] team has put in this season.”

The BFA pack finished off with Lydia Hodgeman (‘22), who placed 36th with a time of 22:47.

BFA placed fifth in the division-one race, only six points off of fourth-place Essex. Overall, BFA placed seventh, qualifying them for a spot at the Vermont Meet of Championships, taking place Saturday, Nov. 7 at Hard’ack in St. Albans.

The boys’ team placed two runners in the top 10 of the division-one race which, according to coach Mike Mashtare, is the first time BFA has done so, at least in the past 40 years. Ethan Mashtare (‘22) placed 4th with a time of 17:24, and Calvin Storms (‘22) placed 10th with a time of 17:50.

Next was Porter Hurteau (‘24), who placed 25th with a time of 18:47. Porter had the fastest time of any freshman in the state on Saturday. Jacob Tremblay (‘22) struggled in the second half of his race on Saturday and placed 31st with a time of 18:56. Tremblay said he hopes to bounce back for Saturday’s Meet of Champions.

The boys’ team was rounded out by William Hughes (‘24), who placed 35th with a time of 19:14, Manny Chiappinelli (‘22), who placed 56th with a time of 20:34 and CJ Fisher (‘22), who placed 61st with a time of 21:02. When asked about how he felt about his race, Chiappinelli said he was, “quite happy with [his] placement.”

BFA boys placed fourth in the division-one race, only seven points off of third-place Essex. Overall, BFA placed fifth, also qualifying them for the Vermont Meet of Champions this Saturday. In a typical year, this would also qualify BFA’s boys team for a spot at the New England Championships, which were also intended to be hosted by Thetford this year.