EMass Division 3 Championship Races

Boys and Girls Cross Country traveled to the Wrentham Developmental Center for today's Division 3 Championship Meet.  

The Boys finished 6th overall with Sophomore Jack Ryan leading the way.  Ryan covered the windy 5K course in 17:05 to finish 13th in the Division.  Junior Captain Lukas Moscoso was 2nd for the Panthers placing 25th in 17:18.  Sam Evans, Senior Captain running his final race for W-H finished 41st in 17:39, followed by Bryce Pulkinen (52nd, 17:49) and Patrick Duffey (54th, 17:50) to close out the scoring.  Other finishers for the Panthers were Andrew Newman (98th, 18:22) and Jayson Keenan (100, 18:23.)  

Senior Captain Samantha Coletti led the way for the Girls with a phenomenal 2nd place finish at 19:01.  Abbie Newman, also a Senior Captain running her final race at W-H finished 26th in an impressive time of 20:16, with Sophomore Nicole Norve right behind her at 30th in 20:17.  Julia Cosgrave (127th, 23:29,) Hailey Welch (133rd, 23:56) and Maeve Rooney (144th, 24:57) all ran well.  Overall the Girls finished 14th in Division 3.

Jack Ryan and Samantha Coletti, with their terrific results, qualified to run in next week's All-State Championship being held at Stanley Park in Westfield.

The foregoing was my recap as provided to our A/D and Principal.  The real story goes much deeper.  First, Game Balls to Jack and Samantha!  Last year Jack was the top 9th grade finisher at EMass in D3.  This year he was the first 10th grader to cross the finish line.  (You smoked that guy you wanted to beat by the way!!)  Spectacular job Captain Jack! You are a force to be reckoned with!  Samantha has been Whitman-Hanson's top runner since she arrived 4 years ago.   It has been a privilege to coach such a talented young lady.  Until now my proudest moment was sending an athlete to the Naval Academy.  Samantha's decision to attend West Point, where I know she will be a major contributor to her team AND her country, is a feeling that is simply indescribable!  YOU are special!

Lukas was the benchmark for W-H Boys this year, and as I mentioned to him, sometimes the race you don't win says more about you than one you do.  Overcoming adversity is a reflection of your character and perseverance.  He will be back "big time" next year.  Sam Evans has been a role model in the classroom and in XC for four years.  AP classes don't slow him down and the wind couldn't do it today.  To quote his uncle, "imagine how good he'd be if he ran during the summer!"  Sam, you've done just fine and we are grateful for your efforts.  Bryce, I am so happy you shed soccer and donned spikes!  You're a Captain-elect, an honor well-deserved, and next year I anticipate, no EXPECT, great things from you.  Why Patrick Duffey kept us waiting this long is a question that may never be answered.  You've been a major contributor this year and I only wish I'd had the opportunity to have you with us in years past.  Your "upside" (potential) is unlimited!  Andrew Newman has worked through pain all year and has still shown enormous improvement over last year.  You are the only one that fails to recognize your abilities.  Downplaying your results won't change a thing.  You are destined to be a top D3 runner over the next two years.  And Jayson . . . while a strikeout may bring you more joy, you should honestly consider XC at the next level.  Like baseball, this sport is dependent upon commitment and dedication, but ability is hard to come by.  You have it. 

If cloning was possible, Abbie Newman would be the parent organism, and we would have dozens of selfless, hard-working, pain tolerant kids on our team.  Unfortunately, nature does not work in that fashion.  But fortunately, we have had the opportunity to have Abbie among us over the past four years.  To say she will be missed is a gross understatement.  But right behind her (and I mean by split seconds!) is Nicole Norve.  Nicole is an incredible finisher, and probably doesn't get enough credit for the first 90% of her race.  While she may make it look easy, her determination and focus have always put her in a position to make a difference in any competition.  My favorite moment in almost every race is letting Nicole know when to put it in "high gear" and watch her cruise past the competition on the way to the finish line.  Next year we'll be moving that point back a bit!  Julia Cosgrave is just a remarkable kid.  You all know her story.  Nothing will slow her down or take that smile off her face!  She has overcome enormous obstacles to get here and she may be the toughest young lady I've ever coached!  What brought Hailey Welch to us?  Early on I honestly thought, "here is a basketball player hoping to get in shape for the winter season."  Little did I know that she should be so committed AND so talented.  Obviously athletic, but it is consistent effort that has made her a valuable contributor to our team.  Improvement will continue to follow.  And finally, our outstanding Freshman Maeve Rooney.  You have quietly (and I mean quietly) made an impact on our team.  Although words may have to be pried out of you (I have a deep respect for the reticent I must add) you have made your voice heard by working so very hard since Day 1.  Your time will come, I am certain.  Which brings us full circle . . .

There is a common thread which connects every runner who participated today.  It is not genetics, size or speed.  It has nothing to with innate ability or what you had for breakfast, or the weather or competition.  Coaching is not a factor.  It is simply a matter of determination.  YOU have to demand excellence of yourselves.  No coach can seriously make those demands.  That must come from within you, and EVERY one of you has provided that this year.  This has been a successful and gratifying season for me at every level.  I have been privileged to work with you and look forward to doing it again.  I am very grateful.  THANK YOU!!