Hopedale’s boys cross-country team has started the season in dominant fashion, remaining unbeaten through its first six meets with a string of convincing victories. The Blue Raiders recently swept the top four places in a 3.1-mile course, Ben Stone, Quinn Cook, Connor Fitzgibbon, and Cedric Arthur finishing in that order, and that depth has been the engine behind several lopsided wins. Hopedale posted a dominant 17-47 victory over the BVT Beavers and recorded strong showings against both Sutton and Nipmuc in the same week.
The team’s four-man core routinely places at the front of the pack, creating a consistent low-point total at meets and making it difficult for opponents to keep pace. Ben Stone and Quinn Cook have alternated at the top of finish lists, and their leadership has helped younger runners step into scoring roles. Against Uxbridge and Sutton, Hopedale again flashed the gap between its top performers and much of the field, translating into comfortable team scores.
With that group returning reliable performances week after week, Hopedale will look to maintain momentum as the schedule tightens and competition increases. Coaches will likely focus on maintaining fitness and sharpening race tactics so the Blue Raiders can keep their unbeaten stretch alive deep into the season.
