On Saturday, the boys cross country team took home the MIAA Division 2C championship, and individuals on both the boys and girls teams are now headed to the state tournament this weekend.
The boys team dominated the race, with runners placing first, third, 12th, 21st and 25th. The second place team, Norwell High School, was a distant 46 points away.
Jonathan Norton placed first, Borja Tolay third, Daniel Da Silva 12th, Sam Fetters 21st, and Daniel Serpa 25th.
The team will compete for the state championships at Wrentham Development Center on Saturday, Nov. 20, looking to win back-to-back state championships (the 2020 season did not take place due to Covid).
Adrienne Christy and Alexa Schroeder also qualified for states as individual runners on the girls team after placing second and 25th, respectively.
Coach Joe Schroeder told his runners it was “an epic day.”
At the state meet, Mr Schroeder said the boys will face stiff competition in Burlington, Wakefield and Newburyport. And they will have to do it without their top runner, Zach Utz, who missed the divisional championship and is out for the rest of the season with a foot injury.
“I know the kids have risen to the occasion since Zach went down,” Coach Schroeder said. “They actually found they can run better than they thought.”
Mr. Schroeder said that when the team lost Utz for the season, Norton and Tolay took up the mantle and began to lead the team to big victories.
“Obviously we had to reinvent ourselves, but absolutely I see us as contenders,” Mr. Schroeder said.
On Saturday Norton earned the highest place divisional finish ever for a Vineayard runner. He is looking forward to the state meet, his last race as a high schooler.
I’m definitely really confident about it,” Norton said. “I also am really looking forward to racing with my team for the last time and I look forward to hopefully trying to get into that top five, maybe top 10.”
Mr. Schroeder gave particular praise to the girls qualifiers, saying it is especially difficult to qualify for the state meet as individuals. Christy placed the highest ever in the girls division race for a Vineyard runner.
For Alexa Schroeder this will be her first experience at the state meet.
“I’ve never qualified, so I’m just excited to have a good last meet of the season,” she said.
Coach Schroeder said the course on Saturday has some sneaky hills but the team has experience with it, winning the Frank Mooney Coaches Invitational held there on Nov. 6.
Another advantage Coach Schroeder said is the team’s depth.
“They have a tight pack, so that’s going to fare them well for Saturday,” Mr. Schroeder said.
The team was back at practice on Monday but taking it rather easy, with a series of stretches, an easy 35-minute run and some conditioning exercises. A season’s worth of grueling workouts are behind them.
“Everything is already taken care of,” Mr. Schroeder said. “Now, it’s time to get ready to race.”
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