Billerica High School’s cross-country team is distinguished this season by its two fastest runners in the state, captains Sahil Gandhi and Mason Niles. Gandhi, a senior, and Niles, a junior, have each posted the quickest 5K times in the region, demonstrating strong leadership and exceptional athletic ability for the Tigers.
On October 3, after a scheduled dual meet was canceled, both runners competed in the Bay State Meet, where they shattered the school’s 5K record previously held by Ryan Leslie since 2022. Gandhi finished first with a time of 15 minutes, 14.6 seconds, narrowly edging out Niles, who recorded 15 minutes, 16.8 seconds to place second. Both exceeded the previous record of 15 minutes, 29 seconds. The competitive dynamic and mutual support between the two has helped push their performances to new heights.
Gandhi described the experience as “super special,” emphasizing the motivation they give each other. Niles, who transitioned from soccer to cross-country at the encouragement of his mother, echoed this sentiment, noting their friendship and friendly rivalry both on and off the course.
Niles has shown steady improvement throughout his career. He placed 22nd as an eighth-grader at the Division 1C championship with a time of 17:11.9 and went on to win the championship as a freshman in 16:19.4. However, his progress was interrupted in the 2025 season when a stress injury sidelined him for two months. Coaches and teammates observed his perseverance through recovery, which has contributed to his strong performance in the current season.
The team benefits from the guidance of coaches Cullen Hagan, now in his 24th season leading Billerica’s cross-country and track programs, and Scott Arsenault. Hagan highlighted the consistency and dedication of Gandhi and Niles as key factors in their development, which includes year-round training efforts.
Gandhi, who is committed to Northeastern University, is recognized for his mental and physical toughness. Niles complements this with versatility, capable of competitive performances in both long-distance and middle-distance events. Coach Sydney Fitzpatrick, who has worked with the team for a decade, praised their strong self-belief and eagerness to compete in prominent meets.
Along with fellow senior Patrick Looney, Gandhi and Niles aim to set a lasting standard for the Billerica program as role models for younger athletes. Gandhi reflected on the inspiration he drew from previous captains and hopes to carry forward the leadership qualities that energized him as an underclassman.
The duo recently competed together at the Virginia Showcase on October 17, both running under 15 minutes and 41 seconds against some of the top high school runners nationally. Looking ahead to postseason competition, Gandhi and Niles are focused on leading Billerica to its first Division 1C team title. Their ongoing development and partnership suggest the team could reach new milestones in the near future.