Sophia Jacobs-Townsley is into hair ties and simple accessories.
She’s into triple-tying her shoes and using the summer to organize her room. She’s into taking courses at Amherst College to perfect her Chinese fluency.
She’s also into running, and if the 2018 cross country season goes to script, she’ll be into making a new section of the record book.
The Amherst Regional senior is a three-time Western Massachusetts Division 1 champion.
Awards and medals aren’t a concern to Jacobs-Townsley. She’s into training and working hard. This summer, for example, she reached the 600-mile mark with her training. In 2017, she broke 500.
She has lofty goals, but wining Western Massachusetts again isn’t one of them. She enjoys the community feel of the event and enjoys competing and encouraging with her teammates.
However, should she win the sectional meet, she will be the first girl or boy in either division to win four straight titles.
“I had thought a bunch of people had done it before,” she said.
Fellow Hurricane Spring Greeney (2002-2004) is the only other three-time Division 1 girls champion.
Mount Greylock’s Allison White (92-94), and Holyoke Catholic’s Jenn Campbell (98-00) and Kristen Veit (06-08) did it in Division 2.
Zig Winiarski, of Chicopee Comp, is the only three-time boys champion.
“When I was a freshman I had really big dreams,” Jacobs-Townsley said. “I was, on one level, we’ll see how it goes. After my freshman year the rest of my seasons were looking up for me. I didn’t expect to have all of the successes.”
Her father Ron has been coaching her along and serving as motivation.
“He got me into the sport, and he’s honestly the same speed as me still, which is pretty cool,” Jacobs-Townsley said of her dad, whose methodical and organizational approach to training has helped him compete in ironmans.
His approach has “honed in my motivation,” Jacobs-Townsley said.
“The main thing he taught me was having fun in working hard,” she said. “At this point in my life while making decisions about college and running, the future of what I’m doing; I really like working hard, I really like running. I genuinely enjoy feeling tired and also feeling good … feeling proud that you had an accomplishment, but feeling proud you did a hard long run or that your body feels sore because you did something difficult. I enjoy the whole process.”
Jacobs-Townsley is confident her summer training will pay off. She focused on the quality of workouts after taking some time off following the outdoor track & field national meet. By the end of August she was averaging about 55 miles per week, building up her endurance and strength.
“I’m feeling really strong and I have a lot of mileage to support a 5K.”
Her goals start with breaking 17 minutes in a 5K, challenge for a state title (she was fourth last season) and qualify for Foot Locker Nationals for the first time.
“They are kind of lofty goals that won’t make or break my season, but ones that will keep me motivated and keep me going,” she said.
Jacobs-Townsley is also eager to see how the team performs. Classmate Julia Hopley was third at sectionals last season and should contend again for a top spot. Junior Zada Forde was ninth while Jacobs-Townsley’s sister Vivian was 23rd.
Amherst lost two of its top five from Western Mass., but sophomore Maddie Shea was 39th and should jump right into the mix.
Amherst ended Northampton’s three-year reign by taking home its 23rd sectional title last season. A 24th title is well within reach.
“We’re going to have such a strong team,” Sophia Jacobs-Townsley said. “Just looking at how much everyone is working and training. I’m super exited to see how everyone does and improves.”
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
Amherst Regional
COACH: Elena Betke-Brunswick, third year
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Valley North/1
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 8-1
2017 WESTERN MASS. CHAMPIONSHIP: First
RUNNERS: Seniors — Adina Chasan-Taber, Erin Clotfelter, Nathalie Dougan, Elena Gonzalez, Julia Hopley, Sophia Jacobs-Townsley, Pearl Tulay; Juniors — Mandisa Bailey, Zada Forde, Naomi Johnson, Callaghan Pittman; Sophomores — Nika Dassatti, Sonai Donnell, McKenzie Fitz, Vivian Jacobs-Townsley, Reighan Joyce, Jana Murphy, Annalise Peterson, Trudie Seterdahl, Maddie Shea, Chartlotte Staudenmayer, Greta Stekl, Samantha Van Horn, Meiyi Weisbord; Freshmen — Delia Clotfelter, Eliza Dole, Layla Elkalai, Sylvia Goldman, Mabel Camila Guerrero, Deborah Leonard, Ava Polak, Isabel Polak.
OUTLOOK: Sophia Jacobs-Townsley could be the first boy or girl in any division to win WMass four straight years if she conquers the field in November. Amherst is deep with Hopley (third), Forde (ninth) and Vivian Jacobs-Townsley (23rd) return. Amherst lost its third and sixth WMass finisher. Shea (39th) should slide into the top five.
Belchertown
COACH: Jason Woodwock, 12th year
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Valley South/1
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 11-3
2017 WESTERN MASS. CHAMPIONSHIP: 15th
RETURNING RUNNERS: Seniors — Abigail Gelinas, Ashley McNamara, McKenna Troy; Juniors — Hannah Bernard, Selene Bonafini, Caroline Hardyn, Eleanor Meighan, Elisha Wenc; Sophomore — Rebecca Patel.
NEWCOMERS: Junior — Madison Kimball; Freshmen — Rosili Borelli, Lydia Collins, Paige Ivey, Amy Mas, Laura Potter, Jessa Troy.
OUTLOOK: The Orioles are rebuilding with upperclassmen. Belchertown lost its top six runners, five of whom graduated and one transferred.
Frontier Regional
COACHES: Bob Smith, 40th year; Walt Flynn, 25th year
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Pioneer North/2
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 8-3
2017 WESTERN MASS. CHAMPIONSHIP: 10th
RETURNING RUNNERS: Seniors — Fiona Ferry, Eleanor Klitzke, Emily Laus, Meghan Waldron; Juniors — Evelyn Boyden, Adrienne Josephs, Lia Vichi; Sophomores — Catherine Bezio, Malia Hanes, Skyler Dennie; Freshmen — Blanche Reading; Eighth grade — Sofia Band, Angelina Egland, Eva Howard, Fiona Howes.
NEWCOMERS: Senior — Marisela Ackerman; Juniors — Marie Diemand, Juliet Keefe; Freshman — Sadie Ross; Eighth grader — Abigail Howard, Lena Johnson; Seventh grader — Leah Gump, Iris Hill, Nicole Plasse.
OUTLOOK: The Red Hawks were young last year and only lost one senior. Improvement seems likely. Laus (39th) was the leader at WMass. Howes (54th), Egland (58th), Ferry (60th) stuck together.
Gateway Regional
COACH: Denau Dostal, third year
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Pioneer South/2
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 4-9
2017 WESTERN MASS. CHAMPIONSHIP: 15th
RETURNING STARTERS: Junior — Autumn Marchetto; Sophomore — Madison Carpenter; Freshman — Adaline Kopacz; Seventh grade — Sawyer Wilkinson.
RETURNING RUNNERS: Seniors — Meghan Crane, Jessica Garriepy, Kilee Holmes; Junior — Isabel Beaudry-Hathaway; Sophomores — Mia Gozgit, Clarissa Grzybowski, Victoria Kot; Freshman — Katrina Nakaya; Seventh grade — Grace Plumley.
NEWCOMERS: Junior — Grave VanBuren; Freshman — Brianna Kot; Eighth grade — Autumn Hamblin; Seventh grade — Kailyn Hawley, Kaitlyn Maynard; Sixth grade — Amy Fisk, Morgan Chaffe.
OUTLOOK: The Gators’ top two at WMass last season were middle school students. Wilkinson (72nd) was the only sixth-grader to compete. Kopacz was 90th.
Granby
COACH: Cathy Imelio, sixth year
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Pioneer South/2
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 10-5
2017 WESTERN MASS. CHAMPIONSHIP: 11th
RETURNING RUNNERS: Seniors — Nora Bernashe, Kylie Biron, Danielle Hamel; Juniors — Jordan Healy, Katelyn White; Sophomore — Jenna Learned; Freshman — Megan Eisnor-Janosz.
NEWCOMERS: Sophomore — Kelsey Myers; Eighth grade — Ajahlia Dumas.
OUTLOOK: The Rams lost their top finisher from WMass., but Learned (55th in 2017) led the group two years ago with a top 50 crossing. Hamel, Biron, White and Healy are experienced.
Hampshire Regional
COACH: Sue Tracy, 10th year
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Pioneer South/2
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 13-0
2017 WESTERN MASS. CHAMPIONSHIP: Third
RETURNING RUNNERS: Senior — Sophia Kubosiak; Juniors — Fiona Bulman, Mary Elias-Gillette; Sophomores — Alivia Brisson, Madeline Jenkins, Delaney Marek, Caitlyn Pellegrini, Eliza Reynolds; Freshmen — Kala Garrido, Molly Halpin; Ellie Meunier, Katie Shallcross; Eighth grade — Anna Dunlap.
NEWCOMERS: Senior — Shyanne Labrie; Junior — Lily Roscher; Sophomore — Setota Touchette; Freshmen — Sylvie Mahon-Moore, Laila Skawski; Seventh grade — Chloe Adams, Ava Gaida, Kaylee McConnell, Summer Sorensen.
OUTLOOK: The Raiders graduated their top five from their state-qualifying team. Their remaining two from WMass were Marek and Pellegrini, who take the reins of the program. Jenkins, Reynolds and Meunier were top 10 runners for Hampshire last season.
Northampton
COACH: Leslie Charles, second year
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Valley North/1
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 8-1
2017 WESTERN MASS. CHAMPIONSHIP: Second
RUNNERS: Seniors — Rosalee Ingmann, Anwyn Springfield, Emilia Tamayo, Emilia Tamayo; Juniors — Adia Bennett, Nava Chevan, Lila Lofving, Abi Murphy, Mary Yount; Sophomores — Naomi Andrew, Caylan Berube, Saraphina Forman, Talia Monroe, Maggie Reade; Freshmen — Quincy Biddle, Caroline Cooper, Hannah Donnelly, Eliana Finkel, Madi Freeman, Annabel Johnson, Lana Johnson, Jayme Maronn, Emma Ostiguy, Amelia Ritt, Lily Shimpach, Sol Melina Taranto Paz, Emmaline Vitale.
OUTLOOK: The Blue Devils were league co-champs with Amherst Regional, but fell to the Hurricanes at WMass, 44-57. Hamp should be right there in the end. Yount (second) and Ingmann (fourth) are a strong top two. Forman (19th), Reade (20th) and Andrew (22nd) also return and give the team great depth.
Smith Vocational
COACH: Brenda Fortin, first year
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Pioneer South/2
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 4-8
2017 WESTERN MASS. CHAMPIONSHIP: n/a
RETURNING RUNNERS: Senior — Kaela Costa; Sophomores — Ariana Bermudez, Kaylin Oligino, Yenaira Pazo, Aryceli Torres.
NEWCOMERS: Senior — Jordan Ellinger; Junior — Briawna Corrales; Freshmen — Jess Mason, Trisha Paradee.
OUTLOOK: The three-year program set a record for most wins in a season last year. Costa was the team’s top runner. The team will compete in the state vocational meet this season. It will the team’s first taste of a postseason meet.
South Hadley
COACH: Kathleen Labrie, second year
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Valley South/1
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 4-4
2017 WESTERN MASS. CHAMPIONSHIP: Eighth
RETURNING STARTERS: Seniors — Emily Grochowalski, Jocelyne Rondeau; Juniors — Abby Broyles, Cora Graves, Julia Piligian; Freshman — Evie Holden.
NEWCOMERS: Senior — Cassidey Kida; Eighth grade — Ashley Scott.
OUTLOOK: Rondeau was seventh at WMass with Grochowalski (29th) and Broyles (34th) right behind. Graves enters the season healthy and could give the Tigers a solid top four by season’s end. Graves finished 16th at WMass her freshman year.
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
Amherst Regional
COACH: Chris Gould, 24th year
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Valley North/1
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 7-1
2017 WESTERN MASS. CHAMPIONSHIP: Fourth
RETURNING RUNNERS: Seniors — Will Borrell, Caleb Ireland, Jamie Leuchs-Curtis, Aidan Shea, Merrick Stromgren, Sean Towse, Jack Yanko, Andrew Zhu, Juniors — Jesse Barker Plotkin, Ernnie Cancio-Bello, Julian Cartagena, Bryan Dole, Henry Geffert, Willem Goff, Noah Johansson, Ian Montgomery-Gehrt, Derek Sherwood, Walter Tebbetts, Nor Young, Sophomores — Maximo Heuck, Claudio Giavalisco, Jackson Hinkel, Griffin Jones, Eric Treyz, Ethan Wilkinson.
NEWCOMERS: Sophomore — Indra Carpio-Pretel, Freshmen — Casey Bowen, Ben Buffone, Griffin Connor, Evan Dooley, Sebastian Fernandez, Joey Green, Geir Hartl, Alden Hinkel, Mickey Maroulis, Jacob Oliveri, Ryan Schneider, Ryan Yanko.
OUTLOOK: Jack Yanko returns to defend his PVIAC and Western Mass. titles. He will also lead a group looking to return to states. The Hurricanes missed qualifying by one point. Shea slides into the No. 2 spot. He was 14th at WMass. Towse wasn’t far behind in 24th. Ryan Yanko ran 20-plus minutes at the weekly summer races at Northampton’s Community Gardens.
Belchertown
COACH: Bill Wheeler, eighth year
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Valley South/1
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 9-4
2017 WESTERN MASS. CHAMPIONSHIP: Eighth
RUNNERS: Seniors — Zachary Bail, Patrick Otto, James Wang, Zachary Wrona; Sophomores — Ethan Andrews, Ryland Charron, Christopher Cowles, Colin O’Connor, Derek Rose, Matthew Stelmokas, Zachary Stowe-Alekman, Karl Underwood, Charles Vachet, Justin White Jr.; Juniors — Caiden Boscher, Jacob Bresnahan, Evan Dunigan, Benjamin Knodler, Jonathan LeBlanc, Kagan Sherson, Andre Withers; Freshmen — Andrew French, Evan Harrington, Samuel Hunt, James Kenney, Logan Lacroix, Christopher Misiaszek, Nicholas Rivers.
OUTLOOK: Dunigan returns to pace the Orioles. He was the program’s first state qualifier last season, placing 20th at WMass. Bail was 29th and Rose 41st, giving Belchertown a solid top three as it tries to improve on its WMass finish from 2017, its best in years.
Frontier Regional
COACHES: Bob Smith, 40th year; Walt Flynn, 25th year
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Pioneer North/2
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 14-0
2017 WESTERN MASS. CHAMPIONSHIP: Second
RETURNING RUNNERS: Seniors — George Balis, Carsten Carey, Dan Dejnak, Phaelon Koski, Ben Roberts, Alex Sharp, Jack Trosin, Eric Trueswell, Noah Walls; Juniors — Jack Donohue, Christopher LaBarbera, KC Mattson, Brett Robinson; Sophomores — Tom Alber, Peter Carey, Elias Goodwin, Ben Martino, Oliver Sackrey, Kai Sharp, George Tsaplin; Eighth grade — Jake Shattuck.
NEWCOMERS: Junior — Ryan Huit; Sophomores — Gehrig Brynda, Aidan Falla; Freshmen — Patrick Boyden, Amos Kohrman, Joe Thomson; Eighth grade — Erich Brown, Jason Dion; Seventh grade — Aleks Carey, Jack Carey, Chase Dennie, Evan Galli, Amory Maxie, Ben Sackrey.
OUTLOOK: Carey (second) and Sharp (fourth) should challenge WMass defending champion Jesse Seid of Mount Greylock. Carsten Carey was 14 seconds back and Sharp 31 seconds. Sharp was second sophomore year. Frontier lost its No. 3, but Peter Carey (22nd) and Dejnak (26th) should slide up. Balis (42nd) adds to the back end.
Gateway Regional
COACH: John Crane, second year
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Pioneer South/2
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 10-6
2017 WESTERN MASS. CHAMPIONSHIP: 16th
RETURNING RUNNERS: Senior — Jake Reynolds; Junior — Brett Bonenfant; Sophomore — Ben Drenen; Seventh grade — Jared Small; Freshman — David Vasilchenko.
NEWCOMERS: Sixth grade — Patrick Millen, Matt Small.
OUTLOOK: The young Gators are a small team. They lost their top three runners from Western Mass. Drenen, Small and Reynolds will look to improve. Vasilchenko missed last season, but Crane expects he will do well.
Granby
COACH: Cathy Imelio, sixth year
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Pioneer South/2
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 10-4
2017 WESTERN MASS. CHAMPIONSHIP: 11th
RETURNING RUNNERS: Seniors — Dylan Gordon, Andrew Hutchinson, Kyle Murdock, Rory O’Connor, Carrick Remillard, Josh White, Michael White, Sam White, Sam Gould; Junior — Daniel Mainville; Sophomores — Abe Gould, Robert Jenks, Jovany Velez; Eighth grade — Nolan Hall.
NEWCOMERS: Sophomores — Eric Rakowski, Landon Roy, Jaiden Summerlin, Devin Walker.
OUTLOOK: The Rams return most of their roster from WMass. Hutchinson (34th) was the team’s top harrier. Murdock (61st), Gould (63rd) and Josh White (78th) will look to improve. Sam White and Remillard also competed at Northfield.
Hampshire Regional
COACH: Sue Tracy, 10th year
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Pioneer South/2
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 11-2
2017 WESTERN MASS. CHAMPIONSHIP: Seventh
RETURNING RUNNERS: Seniors — Jake Constatine, Nick Eline, Jacob Labrie, Cam Neary, River Williams; Juniors — Neil Adams, Ryan Bell, Aiden Braastad, Eric Larson, Max McFadzen, Christopher Vayda; Sophomores — Jadyn Kopie, Miles Lance, Connor Schrauben; Freshmen — Evan Coltman, Ryan McConnell, Andrew Nichols, Nitesh Roncone, Jack Seney, West Williams; Eighth grade — Francis Chase, Nate Godden, Jared Szwajkowski.
NEWCOMERS: Senior — John DaFonte; Juniors — Jackson Faiella, Gideon Touchette; Sophomore — Eli Touchette; Freshmen — Jeff Fish, Liam Reynolds; Eighth grade — Owen Touchette; Seventh grade — Nick Brisson, Tim Cahill, Owen Connor, Jesse Connors, Gavin DaFonte, Rylan Illingsworth, Devin Lemay, Benjamin Plumer, Dylan Zacks.
OUTLOOK: Vayda (sixth) was the lone sophomore in the top 12 at WMass and he should contend for a top-five finish. Eline (46th), Bell (47th) and Labrie (52nd) formed a solid pack. McConnell (56th) and Roncone (62nd) are right there.
Hopkins Academy
COACH: Jeff Mish, fourth year
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Pioneer North/2
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 14-2
2017 WESTERN MASS. CHAMPIONSHIP: Ninth
RETURNING RUNNERS: Seniors — Alex Locher, Aiden Cullen, Owen Taravella; Juniors — Ben Hernandez-Sommer, Zach Locher, Devon Ortmeyer; Sophomores — John Pipczynski, Jack Zina; Freshman — Johnathan Hanscom.
NEWCOMERS: Freshmen — Kiernan Cullen, Abdullah Sheikh; Seventh grade — Christopher Rex.
OUTLOOK: The Golden Hawks had their best finish ever at the sectional meet last year. Taravella (25th) snuck into the top 25 by three seconds. Hanscom (33rd) and Alex Locher (39th) ran well. Aiden Cullen was hurt last year, but he gives the Golden Hawks a strong top four.
Northampton
COACH: Brandon Palmer,
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Valley North/1
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 8-1
2017 WESTERN MASS. CHAMPIONSHIP: First
RUNNERS: Seniors — Emile Bensidrine, Matthew Callahan, Henry Ferrari, Benjamin Gordon Sniffen, Alex Martin, Benjamin Moss-Horowitz, Raymond Plante, Tucker Quinlan, Benjamin Raivel, Theo Thompson; Juniors — Sam Bridgman, Sam Chicoine, Julian Clark, Benjamin DeLaCour, Benjamin Howe, Timothy Jacques, Simon LaClair, Tobias Lesperance, Jonathan Lischetti, Jonathan Maginnis, Jacob Revelo, Jake Rosen, Eben Savenson, Caleb Staples, Pierre-Marie Venne; Sophomores — Andrew Dean, Jasper Fletcher, Ben Newsome.
OUTLOOK: The Blue Devils swept the PVIAC and WMass championships last season, but Hamp graduated four of its top five from WMass. Gordon Sniffen returns at No. 1 and should challenge for top honors. The Devils need improvement from its back end to contend again.
Smith Vocational
COACH: Joshua Shearer, first year
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Pioneer South/2
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 9-6
2017 WESTERN MASS. CHAMPIONSHIP: Did not compete
RETURNING RUNNERS: Seniors — Jayvon Cordova, Jacob Johnson; Juniors — Skylar Gugenberger, Conner Strong; Sophomores — Angel Antequera, Matt Haron.
OUTLOOK: Gugenberger was the Vikings’ top finisher in all but three races last season. He averaged 20 minutes per 5-kilometer race. The team will compete in the state vocational meet this season. It will be the team’s first taste of a postseason meet.
South Hadley
COACH: Nick Davis, fourth year
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Valley South/1
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 3-3
2017 WESTERN MASS. CHAMPIONSHIP: Fifth
RETURNING STARTERS: Seniors — Jake Fournier, Will Gagne, Nick Lauder, Matt O’Brien, Luke Petrosky, Jake Poirier, Ian Prince; Juniors — Brady Cote, John Hoefler, Gabe Schaeffer; Sophomores — Tommy Gebhardt, Andrew O’Grady, Griffin Schoenborn. Freshman — Jacob Broyles.
NEWCOMERS: Senior — Justin Taylor; Freshman — Tim Cote; Eighth grade — Ricky Kida.
OUTLOOK: The Tigers lost their No. 1 and 3 to graduation, but Poirier (33rd), Petrosky (38th) and O’Brien (40th) were pack runners last year and should improve to boost the team.