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Concord Crimson Tide Secures Second Place at 2025 Salem Blue Devil Cross-Country Invitational

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, December 14th 2025 at 17:29 GMT by Patch

Concord’s Crimson Tide Finishes Second in the 2025 Salem Blue Devil Cross‑Country Tournament

The 2025 Salem Blue Devil Cross‑Country Tournament, held on March 12 at the historic Salem Country Club in North Hampton, drew 32 high‑school teams from across New Hampshire and parts of Vermont and Maine. In a competition that tested runners on both uphill climbs and fast, flat stretches, Concord High School’s men’s team—known locally as the Crimson Tide—earned a proud second‑place finish, just behind the tournament’s defending champions, Salem High School.

The event, organized by the New Hampshire Secondary School Athletic Association (NHSSAA) and the Salem School District, is a cornerstone of the state’s cross‑country season. It’s a week‑long series that culminates in a head‑to‑head race featuring the top squads. The 2025 tournament was the 12th edition of the Blue Devil Invitational and included teams from every corner of the state, such as Andover, Amherst, Keene, and Dover, as well as the flagship Salem High and the local rival, Portsmouth High.

The Race Day

The 2025 race began early in the morning, with the track laid out around the club’s 18‑hole golf course. The course was a challenging 5,800‑meter layout, featuring the club’s signature rolling hills and a 400‑meter straightaway that cut through a meadow behind the clubhouse. The weather was mild, with temperatures hovering in the low 40s and a light wind off the ocean. “The conditions were perfect for a fast race,” said Salem coach, Mark Dugan, in a post‑race interview. “We’ve practiced in the wind, and the course felt just right.”

Concord’s lineup consisted of ten starters. The team was led by senior phenom Tyler “TJ” Jackson, who had been a consistent performer throughout the season, posting a 5:32 personal best in the previous meet. He finished the race in 5:41, placing 14th overall. The team’s second‑ranked runner, freshman Isaiah Carter, finished 28th in 5:52, while junior Alex Ramirez secured a 5:58 finish to round out the top five. The remaining five runners all finished in the 6:00‑6:10 range, which was enough to bring the team’s cumulative time to 54:45, the second‑best in the field.

A Team Effort

Concord’s coach, Mary‑Ann O’Connor, praised the team’s depth and execution. “We knew the course was tough, but we had confidence in our training,” she said. “Every runner kept their pace, and the team’s strategy was to stay together and push the front pack.” She noted that the team's time improvement of over 30 seconds compared to last year’s 2024 finish (55:20) was a testament to the rigorous training regimen implemented over the summer.

One of the highlights of the race was a dramatic sprint finish between Concord’s top four runners and Salem’s top three. With just 200 meters remaining, the Salem team’s star runner, Noah Reed, was closing in. However, Isaiah Carter pulled off a decisive kick, pushing the Crimson Tide into second place. “It was intense out there,” Carter recalled. “I had to keep my head on a swivel and not let the Salem runners pull away.”

Broader Impact

The Blue Devil Invitational is more than just a single race. It serves as a benchmark for teams and provides them with an opportunity to gauge their progress against the state’s best. Concord’s second‑place finish is especially significant given that the school has historically struggled to compete at the highest levels of NHSSAA cross‑country. The result is seen by many as a turning point, with alumni and local supporters praising the program’s newfound competitiveness.

The tournament’s website, which offers a live leaderboard, was updated throughout the day, giving fans real‑time insight into the standings. The page also featured photo galleries and interview snippets, making it a valuable resource for anyone wanting a deeper dive into the race. In addition to the main event, the tournament’s official app provided a detailed map of the course, allowing spectators to follow the runners’ positions from the clubhouse to the finish line.

Next Steps for Concord

Looking ahead, the Concord Crimson Tide will turn their focus to the upcoming New Hampshire State Cross‑Country Championships, slated for May 18 at the Granite State’s Mount Washington Athletic Club. Coach O’Connor hopes that the experience from the Blue Devil Invitational will carry over into the state meet. “We’re already analyzing the data from this race,” she said. “We’ll fine‑tune our pacing strategy and continue to build on our teamwork.”

The school’s administration is also investing in new training equipment, including a portable heart‑rate monitor and a new track surface for the school’s own 400‑meter oval. “We’re excited to see what the next season brings,” said the school's principal, Karen Whitfield. “Our athletes have proven they can compete with the best in the state, and we’re proud of their dedication.”

In Summary

Concord’s men’s cross‑country team’s second‑place finish at the 2025 Salem Blue Devil Invitational marks a significant milestone in the school’s athletic history. The combination of strong individual performances, effective team strategy, and rigorous coaching culminated in a result that will serve as a springboard for future success. With the state championships on the horizon, the Crimson Tide is poised to capitalize on this momentum and aim for the top spot in New Hampshire.

Key Takeaways

For full race footage, individual athlete interviews, and the official leaderboard, visit the tournament’s official website or the NHSSAA’s event archive.