The Malden High School girls cross-country team has achieved their third consecutive undefeated season, and with it, a third Greater Boston League title.
The Golden Tornados opened their season with a 22-38 win over a strong Cambridge Rindge and Latin team. However, the win was bittersweet, as senior tri-captain Jacqueline Bouley incurred an injury that would end her season and leave Malden short-handed the rest of the season.
With a renewed focus and revised game plan, Malden relied on the strength of the pack to secure wins over Somerville (21-37), Medford (15-46), and Everett (15-50).
At the Greater Boston League Championship Meet the girls continued their dominance, taking five of the top nine spots in the scoring and a 26-31 victory over second place Cambridge Rindge and Latin.
Leading the effort over Cambridge’s 3.1-mile course and finishing second overall was junior tri-captain Victoria Hannafin (21:03). Following her in fourth, fifth, and sixth were sophomore Gillian Willcox (21:43), sophomore Deborah Kibazo (21:54), and senior tri-captain Joviana Morin (21:59). Rounding out the scoring in ninth place was junior Helen Chin (23:06).
With the win at the GBL Meet, Malden improved to 15-0 in league competition since 2011.
Following the GBL meet, the Golden Tornado girls went on to compete at the Division 1 championships in Wrentham. In what was considered by many to be the strongest field in years, Malden finished a respectable 13th and had a number of runners turn in personal best efforts.
Victoria Hannafin finished 54th in 20:37, Joviana Morin was 63rd in 20:58, Deborah Kibazo was 82nd in 21:41, Gillian Willcox was 86th in 21:46, and senior Christina DiScipio was 96th in 22:21. Other MHS representatives were Helen Chin (22:28) and freshman Sofia Calvo (23:40).
With five of their seven state meet runners returning, the Malden girls look forward to continued success in 2014.