Chase For The TVL Title In Boys' Cross Country Heating Up?

     This year's XC season has been a nail biter for the Lancer Boys and an eye opener for the rest of the TVL teams. Many teams might have overlooked Norton XC in the past, but doing so now would be considered quite foolish. The Norton team is 1st in the TVL for the first time and is undefeated at 6-0! They are the only remaining undefeated team after defeating the usual top seeds of Medfield and Hopkinton and it seems that they will win the TVL for the first time! Or will they? Unfortunately for the other teams in the TVL, Medfield is not ready to give up. The Medfield team possesses the two top runners in the league, Sean and Ian Robertson, and just barely lost to the Norton Boys in a close 27-29 match-up, but are now returning two top runners in the league from the previous season. Former Medfield Soccer players Scola and Robartes have decided to leave their soccer team and rejoin the XC team. The question presented is simple: Does Medfield now have a shot at the TVL title? Like the question, the answer may also be very simple. When confronted on the topic of the addition of the two Medfield runners, Norton Cross Country Coach Kent Taylor stated, "It significantly changes the Medfield team, but in my opinion it will not change the final TVL standings or who wins the TVL title." Medfield does still have a chance at the title, but they would need to win their last three meets and have Norton lose one of their last remaining meets in order in become co-champions with Norton. Even though Norton has more or less secured the TVL Title, who will win the TVL championship meet is another story. This is where the addition of Scola and Robartes comes into play and makes the Medfield team the favorite for the meet. Coach Taylor does admit that the additions to the Medfield team "can change who wins the TVL meet" but later added that the TVL meet is "an exhibition meet." Norton XC and Track teams have not yet won a TVL championship meet, so if they were still able to win the league meet along with the TVL title it would be a historical moment for Norton sports. Norton Senior Captains Billy Sullivan and Max Marcotte will certainly have a tough race ahead of them at the TVL meet along with fellow varsity teammates Mike Tierney, Eric Sanford, and Topher Wren. Regardless of what happens, Norton will no longer be over looked as an easy opponent and will be considered a legitimate team and top contender for the upcoming seasons to come.