134 and Counting: Hamilton-Wenham Girls Set National Record

HAMILTON, MA – Don't challenge anyone from Hamilton-Wenham to a footrace: The girls cross country team broke the national record for consecutive dual-meet wins when they beat Newburyport Wednesday night.

The Generals finished first, second, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eight at Patton Park to total 134 consecutive wins. The national record was 133 wins set by a New Jersey team.

Coach Steve Sawyer said Thursday that the streak began on Oct. 13, 2004, but the record isn't official until the National Federation of High Schools – a parent organization – confirms it. He has to send documentation that the record exists and that the team broke it.

"We owe it all to all of those runners and parents and families that have made sacrifices over the years," said Sawyer, who has coached cross country since 1979. "You have to make a daily commitment to the kind of training that we do. You just have to stick with it, but it’s a process."

Sawyer tells students who come out for cross country for the first time that it will take about a month for them to feel human again, But once they cross that threshold, he said, they feel great.

On Wednesday, the Generals finished as follows:

1. Senior Captain Olivia Horgan (19:54)

2. Junior Grace Moroney (20:09)

5. Junior Anna Cassidento (20:33)

6. Junior Rebecca Erhard (20:54)

7. Sophomore Anabel Howley (20:59)

8. Freshman Jemma Shea (20:59)