Canton’s Raffetto Claims Cochary Mile Title In Falmouth

As August rolls along, the high school sports season starts to feel a little closer. In the cross country world, one of the clearest signs is the Tommy Cochary High School Mile in Falmouth.

And this year’s race featured a strong showing by a trio of runners from the Hockomock League.

Canton senior Lauren Raffetto captured the girls title in 4:59, while junior teammate Adileh Azar finished fifth in 5:14 and Mansfield junior Sarah Jones placed sixth, giving the Hock three of the top six spots in the 10-runner field.

Raffetto stayed aggressive but strategic throughout the race, running at the front before making her decisive move with 200 meters remaining. The reigning state champion in the 800M unleashed her signature closing kick down the stretch and pulled away to secure the win.

“Lauren and Addy raced extremely well against top competition,” Canton cross country coach Anna Amico said. “They both showed why I believe they are the best 1-2 punch in Massachusetts. They work hard and are great teammates and leaders. To see both of them compete for an equally great cause makes me a proud coach.”

Azar, who took fourth at last year’s Hock championship meet, went out with the lead group and finished strong to clock the second-fastest mile of her career.

“Lauren ran a smart race, leading the pack and unleashed her signature kick with 200 meters to go to secure the win,” Amico said. “Addy went out with the top pack and ran a great race, finishing strong in her second-fastest career time in 5:14.”

Raffetto’s victory also added a new chapter to the Hock’s history at the event. According to the published results dating back to 2010, Raffetto is the first Hockomock girls runner to win the Tommy Cochary High School Mile.

She is the first Hock athlete to win either race since Franklin’s Tyler Brogan captured the boys title in 2019 with a time of 4:21.62. Brogan also placed third in 2018, while King Philip’s Mike Griffin won the boys race in 2017.

Jones completed this year’s Hock showing with her sixth-place finish. The Mansfield junior is a three-time Hockomock League All-Star and is coming off an outdoor season that included a fourth-place finish in the 800M at the league championship meet.

About the Tommy Cochary High School Mile
The Tommy Cochary High School Mile was first held in 2010 as the Falmouth Road Race High School Mile before being renamed in Cochary’s memory and opened to athletes from across Massachusetts in 2011. The annual event honors Cochary, a local Falmouth runner whose life was cut short in a drunk driving accident in 1990.

The event promotes healthy choices and awards grants in the names of the top boys and girls finishers that can be used by their schools toward wellness initiatives.