Reading Boys’ Cross-Country Season Preview: 2026
This article was written by resident Tom Grant, a parent of a student-athlete.
Reading’s boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams enter this fall season with their sights set on surpassing last season’s results. This is the second of two season previews, yesterday for the girls and today for the boys. Both teams are led by an experienced group of seniors, and each has a captain making a comeback from injury. If health remains on their side, they have the potential to outdo their impressive Division 1C campaigns from last year, where the boys finished second and the girls eleventh. Come support the teams at their first meet at the Town Forest on Tuesday, September 15th, versus Burlington!
Team schedule:
Pictured left-to-right: Curran Healy, Captain Max King, and Declan Grant work together during a scrimmage vs. North Reading. Photo by Anique Olivier-Mason.
September 15th - Burlington @ Reading
September 22nd - Woburn @ Reading
September 29th - Reading @ Belmont
October 6th - Reading @ Lexington
October 11th - Twilight Meet @ Cape Cod Fairgrounds
October 13th - Arlington @ Reading - Senior Night!
October 20th - Reading @ Winchester
October 26th - Middlesex League Meet @ Woburn Country Club
November 7th - Coaches Invitational @ Wrentham Development Center
November 14th - Divisional State Meet @ Devens
November 21st - All-State Championship @ Devens
Reading Boys Cross Country: A return to a post-season championship?
After finishing only four points out of first place in Division 1C last year, the Reading boys are shooting to take back the title they won in 2024. While it will be a challenge to replace two graduates from last year’s top five (including the team’s top runner), Coach Mike Connelly is optimistic to begin the season: “The boys were 6-0 last season and we hope to have the ability to continue at a similar level of consistent performances with a strong pack of runners.”
Coach Connelly noted the team’s depth and dedication in particular as the team ramps up for its first race against Burlington on Sept. 15. “We have about 40 runners on the team currently and we had a very strong opening two weeks of practices. It is evident many runners put in the miles and work during the off-season and are ready to compete.” This roster depth, plus the return of senior captain Finn Johnson-Houlihan from injury, makes the Rockets competitive in every race they will run this season.
Johnson-Houlihan and fellow senior captains Max King and Andrew Princic are in the mix for the top ten runners in the Middlesex League (ML) and in all of Division 1C. Senior Colin Herlihy, meanwhile, finished 22nd in the division last year and looks set to improve. After these four seniors at the top, the Rockets will get their depth from juniors Colin Carroll, Declan Grant, and Curran Healy, who all ran with the varsity squad at the end of last season.
Standing in the way of the Rockets’ goals this year is a challenging Middlesex League schedule. Coach Connelly has already circled a few dates. “The team once again hopes to compete with the other strong teams in the Liberty division of the ML league, including Arlington, Lexington, and Belmont.” That said, Coach Connelly’s goals for the team are clear. “The team hopes to perform well at the State Divisional Meet in November in Devens and qualify for the all-state meet.”
Rockets take the line before a practice meet against North Reading. Photo by Kelly Malone.
Beyond the returning core, several harriers are contending for a spot on the varsity roster this season, led by juniors Wesley McCarty and Isaac Olivier-Mason alongside sophomore Ben Kaberle. This group is expected to expand over the course of the season as younger runners adapt to the 5k distance. With a sizable incoming freshman class, the team's future looks bright.
Top returning 5k times from 2025
Andrew Princic - 15:46
Max King - 15:52
Finn Houlihan-Johnson - 15:58
Colin Herlihy - 16:14
Declan Grant - 16:44
Curran Healy - 16:49
Colin Carroll - 17:21
Interested in seeing more high school sports coverage in The Reading Observer? We’re looking to expand our coverage with the help of parents, coaches, and community members who want to contribute. If you’re interested in collaborating, reach out to Taylor Gregory at TGregory@TheReadingObserver.com.