WRENTHAM — With the division championships just a week away, Holliston’s Carmen Luisi is running better than ever and should be a heavy favorite to defend her Div. 2 All-State title.

The competition will be tough, but taking on the best harriers in the state is nothing new to Luisi, whose legend grows with every win.

It was more of the same for the elusive harrier yesterday in the junior/senior small school race at the Frank Mooney Coaches Invitational.

Racing in dry, cool conditions, Luisi was 15 yards up on teammate Maggie Kuchman and Whitinsville Christian freshman Emily Flagg through a 5:33 opening mile. Luisi, who edged out Kuchman at the Twilight Invitational, never faltered as she cruised over the 5K Wrentham Developmental Center course for the win in 18 minutes, six seconds. Kuchman was a second back in 18:07 and Flagg was right on her tail at 18:08.7.

Luisi, who will attend Syracuse University, was not surprised the two harrier talents were dogging her over the rolling course.

“I could hear them and on some of the tight corners I’d look back and see them there,” said Luisi. “It just reminded me to keep running hard.”

Luisi will be back at Wrentham next Saturday for the divisional meet and she’s excited to race again on her favorite course.

“I love this course,” she said. “I can’t wait until next week.”

Westfield’s Megan Moran looked to be in prime shape as she ran away with the large senior race in 18:09.8 and defeated the tough Acton-Boxboro harriers in the process.

“I was really pushed,” said Moran, a junior. “I was hoping to have a good race. It was perfect weather and a great course.”

Runner-up Paige McInerney of Acton-Boxboro ran aggressively from the gun and ran to a personal best of 18:19.1.

“I wanted to stay in the front pack and beat my personal best,” said McInerney, who will attend the University of Southern New Hampshire. “I felt strong. It was good to have her (Moran) push me.”
There may not have been a happier runner on the day than Acton-Boxboro’s Clementine Garro.

Running in the junior race, Garro felt surprisingly fresh through a 5:58 opening mile. She was even with Westford Academy’s Rosy Deeks through 3,000 meters before accelerating and pulling away for a 19:18.8 win. That time shattered her previous best of 20:08.

“My teammates have been pushing me hard through all our workouts,” said Garro. “I was suffering really bad near the end, but you can push through anything.”