Nauset Boys Cross Country On Cusp Of Undefeated Season

NORTH EASTHAM – The Nauset boys cross country team had a notable absence in their lineup as they took to the starting line Tuesday, Oct. 7 against Barnstable.

Junior Ethan Koufos, the team’s top runner, had an aggravated quad that still hurt after warming up prior to the race. He couldn’t go. The Warriors’ perfect dual-meet record in 2025 seemed to be in real jeopardy, unless some other athletes could step up.

But the pack mentality that has lifted Nauset all year came through once more in Barnstable, the Warriors outplacing the Red Hawks 23-42 to get the win — and with it, the team is on the cusp of an undefeated, league-winning season.

To get to that point, the Warriors have been “meticulous,” senior Dusty O’Campbell said. He, Koufos and senior captain Will Christopher discuss the gameplan before meets, six of which they’ve won and none of which they’ve lost thus far this year. 

Before the race, each Nauset runner will match up with an opponent similar in speed. The general strategy is for each Warrior to catch the runner that’s faster than them. They need to stick with their matched-up runner while keeping eyes on those ahead of them, according to Christopher. At the front end, Koufos has typically led the way, followed by O’Campbell and Christopher. 

“We've just been able to execute kind of the same formula, same placings, every meet, no matter who it is against, because that's not like a big factor in meets for us,” O’Campbell said. “We don't care who we're up against. We know we can all run together, so it’s kind of fun.”

A meet Thursday against Dennis-Yarmouth will dictate if the Warriors clinch an undefeated season and win the Cape and Islands League, an accomplishment that would be “a gift” for the athletes on the team, according to head coach Moira Nobili. 

The achievement would distinctly be big for seniors like Christopher, O’Campbell, Luca Bowden and Jack Hopkins, each of whom has a story of their own. Christopher has gotten better every year, according to Nobili. Bowden, more of a sprinter than a distance runner, wanted to make the team and compete in meets not just by being a senior but by being a runner — which he’s indeed done, admirably at that, according to Nobili. Hopkins is tall and thin, a typical runner who did really well last year.

“They all awaken at different times,” Nobili said.

O’Campbell loves running but has always had injuries, and Nobili said she told him his senior season was going to be his year. 

“This year he’s just rocking on,” Nobili said.

She called O’Campbell the team’s “statistician.” Prior to meets, he looks at the times on the other team, gathering info in order to predict scores and times so the Warriors go into the competition prepared. He’ll tell teammates, especially underclassmen, who they should match up with and how much time a course might add to their pace, so nobody goes into a race blind, and everyone knows what they’re up against. No doubt that has contributed to the undefeated season.

“It's kind of like a magical thing to happen, and it's great,” O’Campbell said. “This is absolutely how I'd like to end my journey of cross country here at Nauset, going undefeated.” 

Against Barnstable, someone had to step up in place of Koufos if Nauset was going to continue their perfect season. Blaise Donoho, a freshman, answered the call, placing fifth. Christopher said he was “really proud of our team for what they've been able to do,” in particular the freshmen, none of whom quit even after a tough first week of practice in which the team repeatedly ran hills.

“That's really hard, and they stuck with it,” Christopher said.

Also at Barnstable, O’Campbell struggled to run as he too deals with a quad injury, he said. But at his shoulder pushing him on was Christopher, who went on to finish first for Nauset.

“It's the biggest help in the world,” O’Campbell said.

The Nauset girls cross country team also picked up a win at Barnstable, a notable victory for a small team with several new runners that has battled through illness and injury.

Senior captain Alyssa Hutchinson said the win was “amazing,” a confidence booster.

“We weren't going in there expecting a win, but we were going there to do whatever we could to win, and I think everyone pulled their weight and just ran their hardest that they possibly could, and it was great,” she said.

The group is, as coach Ed Pavlu put it, small but motivated — small but mighty. More than half of the athletes on the team are freshmen. Many of them were new runners who didn’t really know what they were getting into. That made for an interesting start to the season, Hutchinson said, but the girls started to figure it out after their first race, and they’ve been working hard and doing the best they can. 

“I know that they're going to become a really good team, and they're all so close, and I couldn't ask for anything more,” Hutchinson said. 

Hutchinson had to fight through illness at the beginning of the year, while senior Kendall Faley has dealt with ankle problems, according to Nobili. But the team dug in.

“They do the best they can, and I’m really proud of them,” Nobili said.

Freshman Savannah Senatori and sophomore Hannah Pranga have led the way at races for Nauset, essentially running solo without anyone else ahead of them, according to Nobili.

“It’s a lot of responsibility, but they’re handling it magnificently," she said.

The athletes motivate each other, putting in the effort with a positive outlook, which has most impressed Nobili. They’re supportive and look out for each other, she said.

Hutchinson has had fun serving as the senior captain for the green group of runners. Being new to the sport, there are times when they basically ask “What are we doing?” But Hutchinson has been able to explain it and be there for them.

“I've always admired my captains before, and being able to do that for them feels really good,” she said. “And again, they've been working so hard. They listen. They're there for me. They're there for everyone else.”