Undefeated D-R Cross Country Team Surprising the Competition

FAIRHAVEN - The best gifts come in small packages.

That’s the theme for the Dighton-Rehoboth girls cross country team this year. The Falcons have around 12 runners, but it’s quality over quantity for the undefeated team that notched its latest victory Tuesday, 25-33, over previously undefeated Fairhaven at Mariner Field.

“We went into the season, I think we had seven or eight girls at the start, and you need at least five or you can’t win a meet,” D-R coach Brandon DeLano said. “Now, they’re 3-0 and have faced some great opponents and came on top. Today was their biggest test and they were amazing.”

The boys team also ran against Fairhaven, and although they fell 41-18 to one of the best teams in the South Coast Conference, DeLano said the improvement has been off the charts for the 1-2 Falcons.

“They went out there and competed,” DeLano said. “They kept up with Fairhaven and in the process, bettered themselves for the rest of the season. I told them to go out fast and if we don’t win on the scoreboard, let’s win for our season, and today was a great meet for our season.”

Both the boys and girls will be back in action Tuesday against SCC rival Old Rochester at home at 3:45 p.m.

REPORTERTODAY.COM MVP: Isabel Murdock won the girls race, finishing the 3.1-mile course in 21:25 to lead the Falcons to victory. “She’s PR’d by 10-15 seconds every race this season,” DeLano said of the sophomore. “She came back this fall a changed runner. She’s a workhorse and has been outstanding so far.”

TOP FALCON: Alex Violette was the top finisher for D-R on the boys side, crossing the line in third place overall with a time of 16:33. It was the first time this season he wasn’t the overall winner. “He’s having a great season,” DeLano said of the senior. “He’s always laser-focused, no matter if he’s behind or in front. He’s out there setting the pace for us.”

LEADING THE PACK: Rounding out the top finishers for the girls team on Tuesday were Avery Thomas (third in 21:58), Kiara Abrantes (sixth in 22:42), Molly Walsh (seventh in 23:56), Talia Vicente (eighth in 24:04) and Kristen Murphy (ninth in 24:11). “They’re a tight group and they really feed off each other,” DeLano said.

HEAD OF THE CLASS: Following Violette as top finishers for the boys were Jason Ruta (seventh in 17:26), Josh Rebello (eighth in 17:32), Ben Alves (11th in 18:03), Ricky Curtis (13th in 18:29) and Brady Courcy (15th in 18:59). “Today was everything but a win for us,” DeLano said. “They were out there working hard. I saw it in their faces. I’m very happy with the performance.”

BEST IS YET TO COME: DeLano says that although the Falcons are coming along, they will soar higher as the season wears on. “I’m trying to have them peak at the end of the season,” he said. “I’ve tried to sort of baby them along a little bit here and there so hopefully they’ll pop at the end.”

SEASON GOALS: Can the D-R girls start preseason with a handful of runners but finish the regular season undefeated? “They have a real chance to do that,” DeLano said. “ORR will be their toughest test.” The boys team topped Apponequet and is a tie-breaker away from being 2-1 after a loss to Somerset Berkley by the slimmest of margins. “If we run like today, I think we can go into ORR and compete. I hope to get back to the winning side and finish the season 3-2.” Both teams will face ORR on Oct. 8, end the regular season on Oct. 15 at home against GNB Voc-Tech, and compete in the SCC Championship race in Wrentham on Oct. 24.

NOTES: Alves out-sprinted a Fairhaven runner down the home stretch to finish 11th overall by one second. … DeLano had high praise for Thomas on the girls side, saying she’s having “an amazing season.” … This is DeLano’s first season as cross country coach after spending the last three years as the indoor and outdoor track and field coach. … Ben Davignon was the overall winner in a speedy 15:56 for undefeated Fairhaven (4-0). … Check out our Facebook page, The Reporter, for a video of Violette’s finish. … Mariner Field is a flat 3.1-mile course around the Mariner Youth Soccer complex off Route 6 in Fairhaven.