MSTCA Cross Country Relay results and Panther football commentary

Earlier today our XC teams traveled to Attleboro to open the season.  The following summary was sent to Administration following the meet:

The Whitman-Hanson Boys and Girls Cross Country teams sent 21 athletes to Highland Park, Attleboro, to compete in the MSTCA Cross Country Relays on Saturday. Each relay race consisted of three team members, and included a Coed race, along with both girls' and boys' races. 

In the Coed race fielding 42 teams, Sophomore Ben Andrews, Junior McKenna MCarthy and Senior Alex Kehayias combined to medal with a 10th place finish over the 4.6-mile course in a time of 28:03.

The Boys Junior/Senior Race had a total of 64 entries with three from WHRHS. Seniors Adam Vinton, Andrew Buckley and Shane Johnson finished in 32nd place in a time of 29:09.  In 42nd place was the team of Connor McCarthy, James Whitman and Gavin McCarthy at 30:38, while Lexton Tobias, Caleb Poth and Declan Handlin finished 53rd with a time of 33:47.

The Girls Junior Senior Race had 51 entries and again Whitman-Hanson entered three teams.  Seniors Caroline Poth, Paige Reichert and Lynn McCoy finished 22nd in a time of 35:17.  Haley Gillis, Willa McKay and Bella Furtado, each in her first Cross Country race, combined to place 28th with a time of 36:58. And Chloe Handlin, Amiliya Gretsky and Evelyn Williams ran a combined time of 37:07 to take 31st place overall.

It was a great start to the 2023 season.  The teams head to Marshfield on Tuesday for the first Patriot League dual meet of the season.

Steve George, Head Coach

Last night I had an opportunity to watch the WHRHS football team as it took on Pembroke High in Pembroke.  Cross Country congratulates Coach Botelho, his staff and all the members of the team on its thrilling come from behind victory.  We especially want to congratulate some of our Track and Field athletes who played a great game.  Matt Lee, Brady Markowski, Mitch Souza and Cody Roberts were outstanding in the win.  When I returned home my granddaughter asked me what "karma" is after hearing me use the word.  I explained to her very simply that karma is what happens when your football team is winning 26-14 with about 8 minutes left in the game and your school marching band starts playing the "Hey, Hey, Goodbye" song.  And then you lose.  At the game, I had been standing next to a man I didn't recognize, and I don't know which team he was supporting, but as the band played on he commented to me, "It's a little early to be playing that song."  To which I replied, "I was thinking the very same thing."  We're all just a bit proud of a team that didn't give up, and while in all probability unaware of the song played by the opponent's band, showed them what "karma" is all about.

Back at it Monday at 2:30. Sunday is a day off, with a mini-meet planned for Monday and easy running for all others in anticipation of our opener at Marshfield.