An injury cut short much of Alyssa Parenteau’s cross-country season last fall. Shortly after winning the season-opening Injury Fund Carnival, the La Salle standout was sidelined with a stress reaction and didn’t return to racing until the State Meet, where she battled her way to a 22nd-place finish.
After a healthy and productive indoor and outdoor track campaign, followed by a strong summer of training, Parenteau is eager to make up for lost time on the hills and trails. We rank her among our top seven harriers this year, basing our outlook on the talent she has consistently displayed when at her best. As a freshman, she placed 14th at the State Meet and was the seventh-fastest ninth-grader at New Englands, where she ran a PR of 19:01.0 for five kilometers. Her shortened sophomore season produced a season-best 19:31.42 at states.
With her injury now behind her, there’s no doubt this gifted runner can make a major impact. Parenteau looked smooth and relaxed in capturing her second straight Injury Fund title this past weekend, breezing to a 10-second victory in 19:16.11. She also enters the fall just a few months removed from her finest track season to date, highlighted by bests of 4:43.38 for 1,500m and 2:19.42 for 800m.
Parenteau has the full package—speed and endurance—to get the job done. She also brings extra motivation with the Rams firmly in the mix among the small group of contenders for the state team crown in early November
