MARBLEHEAD — Marblehead’s girls cross country team is only a few days away from the start of its preseason. Under third-year coach Will Herlihy, he and the Magicians are ready for another successful fall.
The preseason begins on Monday. Herlihy, who is also one of the track and field coaches at the high school, can’t wait to get back out and run with his team.
“I’m really excited. Coaching three seasons is a lot. When I come off the spring, I’m usually pretty good for a break, but then a couple of weeks into summer, I just start looking forward to cross country,” he said. “It’s definitely my favorite season. I’m really excited for next week when we get to jump in.”
When asked what makes cross country his favorite season, Herlihy talked about its team dynamic and how the sport is challenging, but rewarding.
“There’s just something about the team. I coach a lot of the same athletes in track as the distance coach, but in cross country, everyone runs the same distance and everyone’s doing the same thing at practice. The team is really close,” he said. “There’s that shared experience of doing a hard workout that everyone does and the difficulty of running a 5K race through trails and on fields. The challenge that the kids go through – and when they go through it with their teammates – forges this bond that I think is, personally, greater than what most other sports have. Not to put the other sports down at all. I just think cross country is special.”
The girls lost two runners from graduation. That said, Herlihy did mention a few key runners who remain.
“We graduated two seniors from last year, so a small number compared to the year prior, when we lost 12 runners, which was half of my team,” he said. “Although it’s only two that we lost, they were two very important leaders and contributors.”
Luckily for Herlihy – and, frankly, Marblehead fans – star runner Marri O’Connell is back for her junior season. Last fall’s Runner of the Year is back as a captain for the second consecutive season.
“Marri is one of our two captains. The other captain is Maren Potter, who will be a senior this year,” Herlihy said. “This is Potter’s second year running cross country, but she’s been running distance and track for her whole high school career.”
What sticks out between O’Connell and Potter’s leadership qualities is how they treat their teammates, especially the younger runners, according to Herhily.
“Marri is someone who’s really invested in the team and her teammates – and their success. She just tries to connect with everybody and make sure no one gets left behind, which for someone who’s as good as she is, I think is really admirable. It’s easy, when you’re that good, to put yourself on an island and she’s done the opposite of that,” Herlihy said. “Maren has a lot of experience. She’s been on the track team for years and she’s just a great leader. She’s organized and is always trying to find ways to improve. At the same time, she is always looking out for the younger kids, making sure there’s no one left behind and that everyone feels included. Between the two of them, that kind of approach is another reason that cross country is such a special sport.”
In addition to Potter and O’Connell returning, Herlihy made sure to point out Jesslyn Roemer, a sophomore who had a great freshman season.
Herlihy believes she can have an even better fall.
“We had a bunch of young runners who really stepped up last year in a good way. Jesslyn Roemer, who’s going to be a sophomore, had just an unbelievable season,” Herlihy said. “I think coming into this year with a new perspective on the training and what goes into it, she can take a big step forward.”
The girls have a lot of stars in their lineup, and are looking to make waves in the Northeastern Conference yet again.
