ONE FINAL HILL CLIMBED - THE MINUTEMEN SHOW WELL AT NIKE CROSS REGIONALS
Meet Information
Nike Cross Regionals Northeast
November 24, 2018
Bowdoin Park - Wappingers Falls, NY
RESULTS
WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY - Saturday, competing as The Minutemen Running Club, 12 members of the Lexington High School boys team toed the line with some of the best runners from the six New England states, New Jersey and Pennsylvania at the Nike Northeast Regional meet. In the Open race, five Minutemen raced on what was the toughest 5k course the team raced on all season, which was made worse by the muddy conditions lining the hilly terrain. In that race The Minutemen finished fourth with 235 points, while Rhode Island's Bishop Hendricken won the race with 49 points. The Championship race doubles as a qualifier for Nike Cross Nationals in Oregon, with the top two teams and five individuals having their ticket punched to head out west. The Minutemen had a good showing by finishing 11th overall (second among Massachusetts squads) with 365 points. Christian Brothers Academy of New Jersey took the victory with 99 points, and Bishop Hendricken followed its win in the Open race by grabbing the second Nationals qualifying spot scoring 108 points.
The Open race was divided into two separate races with The Minutemen running in the first, and the results were combined to decide the individual and team champions. For The Minutemen, it was sophomore Nate Croke who was the first runner across the finish line. After an injury at the end of the regular season cost him his shot at racing in the League and MIAA Championships, Croke showed up to Bowdoin Park and raced like a runner possessed. After starting out strong he surged through the second half of the race and crossed the line in 17:36.30, which placed in 17th overall in the combined results. He was followed by fellow sophomore classmates Max DiCerbo (18:01.70) and Maxim Slobodchikov (18:04.80) who were 47th and 52nd respectively. Behind the trio of sophomores was senior captain Lucas DiCerbo, who ran the second half of the race after losing his shoe. DiCerbo gutted the race out and finished his LHS Cross Country career by placing 56th in a time of 18:06.00. Junior Seth Cutler was the final finisher for The Minutemen. He completely the course in 18:28.80, placing 90th in the process.
Along with going against the best the region has to offer, the Championship race offered The Minutemen a final chance to settle the score with rival Arlington - the teams had split their previous four meetings. While Arlington's Ryan Oosting continued his dominating season by winning the race by over 15 seconds, and advancing to Nationals, The Minutemen were able to topple Arlington by over 50 points and take the season series 3-2. For The Minutemen, senior captain Eli Gappelberg ended his cross country career in fine fashion. After placing 47th last year, Gappelberg improved by ten places this year and was The Minutemen's first finisher in a time of 16:56.10, placing 37th overall. Sophomore Nick Porter was 66th in a time of 17:14.30. Junior Micah Benson followed up his breakthrough performance at All-States by finishing 93rd in 17:28.90. Fellow junior Selvin Backert finished 102nd in 17:36.60. Another junior, Adam Bernstein was The Minutemen's all important fifth man. He crossed the line in 17:51.00, placing 130th in the process. Senior captain Jeb Jacob wrapped up his cross country career by placing 139th in 17:55.10, and junior Matt McAlarney (18:04.60) was 159th.
Final Boys Team Scores (Top 15)
1. Brothers Track Club - 99
2. Hawks TC - 108
3. Haddonfield RC - 134
4. LSA Running Club - 140
5. Xavier Distance - 147
6. Patriot Athletics - 220
7. Whippets Footracing Team - 286
8. Tolland XC Club - 305
9. Wexford Flats - 314
10. Evesham Harriers - 356
11. The Minutemen Running Club - 365
12. The Swarm - Exxes Jct - 366
13. The Tribe - 369
14. The Valley - 384
15. Wellesley XC - 385
Now that boys season has come to a close, it is worth reflecting back on what was arguably the most successful cross country season in school history. The season was highlighted by the team's ability to respond after a tough defeat. At Clipper Relays The Minutemen placed third, then were able to bounce back and take the title at Ocean State. They then suffered a disappointing defeat at Arlington, but responded four days later by winning the title at the Baystate Invite. At the Middlesex League Championships they again were defeated by a strong effort from Arlington - and again they responded. First by winning their first MIAA title in 30 years and then by getting revenge against Arlington by placing third at All-States, which was their highest finish in school history. However, what made this year's team so special was its depth of talent, and desire to compete against each other. Most good cross country teams have five or even seven strong runners, but this team truly went 12 runners deep. Seemingly every rep of every workout the tight knit group was never separated by more then a couple meters. At nearly every meet a different runner would break into the top seven, and that constant competition is what pushed this group to achieve a level of success at which no other LHS boys team has seen. In truth, the foundation that the graduating seniors have laid combined with the great young talent that will remain on the team will continue to lead The Minutemen to more success next fall.
Up Next
With the cross country season now over, The Minutemen head indoors. The winter track season begins with a JV meet at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston on Thursday December 6th at 4:30pm.
Nike Cross Regionals Northeast
November 24, 2018
Bowdoin Park - Wappingers Falls, NY
RESULTS
WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY - Saturday, competing as The Minutemen Running Club, 12 members of the Lexington High School boys team toed the line with some of the best runners from the six New England states, New Jersey and Pennsylvania at the Nike Northeast Regional meet. In the Open race, five Minutemen raced on what was the toughest 5k course the team raced on all season, which was made worse by the muddy conditions lining the hilly terrain. In that race The Minutemen finished fourth with 235 points, while Rhode Island's Bishop Hendricken won the race with 49 points. The Championship race doubles as a qualifier for Nike Cross Nationals in Oregon, with the top two teams and five individuals having their ticket punched to head out west. The Minutemen had a good showing by finishing 11th overall (second among Massachusetts squads) with 365 points. Christian Brothers Academy of New Jersey took the victory with 99 points, and Bishop Hendricken followed its win in the Open race by grabbing the second Nationals qualifying spot scoring 108 points.
The Open race was divided into two separate races with The Minutemen running in the first, and the results were combined to decide the individual and team champions. For The Minutemen, it was sophomore Nate Croke who was the first runner across the finish line. After an injury at the end of the regular season cost him his shot at racing in the League and MIAA Championships, Croke showed up to Bowdoin Park and raced like a runner possessed. After starting out strong he surged through the second half of the race and crossed the line in 17:36.30, which placed in 17th overall in the combined results. He was followed by fellow sophomore classmates Max DiCerbo (18:01.70) and Maxim Slobodchikov (18:04.80) who were 47th and 52nd respectively. Behind the trio of sophomores was senior captain Lucas DiCerbo, who ran the second half of the race after losing his shoe. DiCerbo gutted the race out and finished his LHS Cross Country career by placing 56th in a time of 18:06.00. Junior Seth Cutler was the final finisher for The Minutemen. He completely the course in 18:28.80, placing 90th in the process.
Along with going against the best the region has to offer, the Championship race offered The Minutemen a final chance to settle the score with rival Arlington - the teams had split their previous four meetings. While Arlington's Ryan Oosting continued his dominating season by winning the race by over 15 seconds, and advancing to Nationals, The Minutemen were able to topple Arlington by over 50 points and take the season series 3-2. For The Minutemen, senior captain Eli Gappelberg ended his cross country career in fine fashion. After placing 47th last year, Gappelberg improved by ten places this year and was The Minutemen's first finisher in a time of 16:56.10, placing 37th overall. Sophomore Nick Porter was 66th in a time of 17:14.30. Junior Micah Benson followed up his breakthrough performance at All-States by finishing 93rd in 17:28.90. Fellow junior Selvin Backert finished 102nd in 17:36.60. Another junior, Adam Bernstein was The Minutemen's all important fifth man. He crossed the line in 17:51.00, placing 130th in the process. Senior captain Jeb Jacob wrapped up his cross country career by placing 139th in 17:55.10, and junior Matt McAlarney (18:04.60) was 159th.
Final Boys Team Scores (Top 15)
1. Brothers Track Club - 99
2. Hawks TC - 108
3. Haddonfield RC - 134
4. LSA Running Club - 140
5. Xavier Distance - 147
6. Patriot Athletics - 220
7. Whippets Footracing Team - 286
8. Tolland XC Club - 305
9. Wexford Flats - 314
10. Evesham Harriers - 356
11. The Minutemen Running Club - 365
12. The Swarm - Exxes Jct - 366
13. The Tribe - 369
14. The Valley - 384
15. Wellesley XC - 385
Now that boys season has come to a close, it is worth reflecting back on what was arguably the most successful cross country season in school history. The season was highlighted by the team's ability to respond after a tough defeat. At Clipper Relays The Minutemen placed third, then were able to bounce back and take the title at Ocean State. They then suffered a disappointing defeat at Arlington, but responded four days later by winning the title at the Baystate Invite. At the Middlesex League Championships they again were defeated by a strong effort from Arlington - and again they responded. First by winning their first MIAA title in 30 years and then by getting revenge against Arlington by placing third at All-States, which was their highest finish in school history. However, what made this year's team so special was its depth of talent, and desire to compete against each other. Most good cross country teams have five or even seven strong runners, but this team truly went 12 runners deep. Seemingly every rep of every workout the tight knit group was never separated by more then a couple meters. At nearly every meet a different runner would break into the top seven, and that constant competition is what pushed this group to achieve a level of success at which no other LHS boys team has seen. In truth, the foundation that the graduating seniors have laid combined with the great young talent that will remain on the team will continue to lead The Minutemen to more success next fall.
Up Next
With the cross country season now over, The Minutemen head indoors. The winter track season begins with a JV meet at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston on Thursday December 6th at 4:30pm.