Prep runs third at Manhattan Invitational

Each year John Boyle uses the St. John’s Prep cross-country team’s trip to the Manhattan Invitational at Van Cortlandt Park as a tangible barometer of the Eagles’ progress. He left Saturday’s event knowing his team is on the right course and pleased with a third-place finish of 30 teams competing in the Varsity A Division.Five Eagles placed in the Top 65 on the 21/2-mile course for a team total of 177 points to finish behind meet champion Collegiate High School of New York City and Syossett (NY) High School.Juniors Liam Dow (12th, 13:15), Tim Loehner (26th, 13:41) and Colin Monahan (31st, 13:44) paced the Prep pack, joined by seniors Tom O’Shea (44th, 13:50) and Brendan Massey (64th, 14:04). Senior Nick Fecteau and junior Scott Atwood also cracked the Top 100 but didn’t factor in the team scoring.”We had a pretty good grouping. I like to have the kids race against different competition and not against the same kids they see all season. This is a constant course with more than 100 years of history so you can measure progress. All of them ran significantly better here this year than they had previously,” said Boyle.Undefeated in dual meet competition with a 3-0 mark, the Eagles can claim the Catholic Conference title with a win at Xaverian Tuesday.TWILIGHT INVITATIONALBOYSIn Falmouth, Bishop Fenwick senior Bryan Mendes finished 43rd (17:22.50) in the 5K Varsity Boys Division Two race at the Barnstable County Fairgrounds. Juniors Nicholas Tambini and Eric Loehle and sophomore James DiGuilio also broke 20 minutes for the Crusaders.Saugus junior Evan Covell (77th, 18:19.25) and sophomore Nick Monaco (78th, 18:22.55) crossed simultaneously and junior Mike Mansfield cracked 20 minutes.GIRLSBeverly junior Nicole Demars placed ninth in the Varsity Girls Division One race, clocking 19:18.50. Senior Madison Shropshire (23rd, 20:04) and junior Keely Higgins (87th, 22:39.75) also finished in the Top 100Junior Arianna Maida (23rd, 19:28.78) was Bishop Fenwick’s top placer in the Varsity Girls Division Two event. Seniors Hannah Smith (60th, 20:52.69) and Abigail Smith (103rd, 22:48.20) ran well.FOOTBALLDanvers 26, Triton 13In Byfield, the Falcons (3-3) spotted their hosts an early lead then rattled off four consecutive scores to snap a three-game losing streak in CAL-NEC crossover play on Saturday. Tier 3 Triton slipped to 1-5.Alex Grant carried 18 times for 128 yards and touchdown runs of three and two yards to power the offense. Alex Valles added 52 yards rushing and a one-yard TD run while sophomore quarterback Nick Andreas completed 6-of-10 passes for 56 yards and added a 10-yard scoring run.”We really ground it out. We had four long, sustained drives and were really committed to running. This leaves a good taste and builds a little confidence going into the division,” said coach Sean Rogers. On defense, he praised the play of linebackers Duncan D’Hemecourt (interception), Andy Curtin (interception) and Jake Allain.Lynnfield 14, Pentucket 6In West Newbury, the Tier 4 Pioneers improved to 3-2 with a stout all-around effort in CAL-NEC crossover action. Kyle McGah had a one-yard run in the first quarter and quarterback Mike Karavetsos added a 60-yard dash in the second quarter as the Pioneers built a 14-0 lead.BOYS SOCCERPrep 4, Xaverian 0In Danvers, junior Matt Chilton netted the game-winner in the first half. Carter Ocko, Paul Magazzu and Greg French (assist) also scored for the Eagles (12-1-0, 7-0-0) while Ben Alpern (three saves) recorded his ninth shutout.The Eagles take on undefeated Acton-Boxboro this afternoon at home (4), then can clinch the Catholic Conference crown with a win or tie against once-beaten B.C. High on Wednesday (4) in Danvers. St. John’s won at BCH earlier this season, 1-0.Classical 5, Gloucester 2In Wenham, the Rams (8-1-4, 8-1-2) broke free from a 1-all halftime tie behind Salvador Castro’s four-goal eruption in a game played at Gordon College. German Canales added a goal and two assists while midfielders Angel Ca