THE WARRIORS had five members of their team medal in the Middlesex League Meet held at the Woburn Country Club on Monday. Pictured from left to right is Leith Jones (4th), Ben Stratton (10th), Mike Arria (9th), Brandon Nett (25th) and Ollie Polster (24th). (Nancy Stratton Photo)
WOBURN — The Middlesex League Championship has a long history at the Woburn Country Club. The energy and pride that is felt makes it a special experience for all the athletes who compete in any of the races.
The Warriors have had a strong record at this meet over the years, and this year was no different. The defending champions may have not repeated, but they certainly proved they were there to compete, placing 2nd out of all 12 Middlesex League teams.
The Warriors were only a mere 5 points behind first time winners, Burlington. Just two weeks ago at the Twilight Invite, the Red Devils defeated the Warriors by over 100 points. It looks like the Warriors have established some momentum since that last meeting, something they hope to continue in the coming weeks at States.
Following Burlington’s 67 points, the Warriors scored 72 points ahead of Lexington’s 86-point finish in 3rd. Belmont was 4th place and Arlington finished in 5th.
GEORGE PALMER crosses the finish line in 1st place during the JV race at the Middlesex League Meet on Monday. (Nancy Stratton Photo)
Senior captain Leith Jones ran a courageous race putting himself in the small lead pack of just four or five runners by the mile mark. Jones held on strong for a 4th place finish securing an All-Conference recognition and a 5K PR of 15:49.
For the 2nd year in row, the Warriors placed three in the top 10 as junior Mike Arria and senior captain Ben Stratton both ran PRs to finish 9th and 10th place in 16:24 and 16:29.
Junior Ollie Polster had his best race yet finishing 24th in a time of 16:57. Sophomore Brandon Nett also ran a career best to finish 25th in 16:59.
WAKEFIELD’s runners take off at the start of the Middlesex League Meet’s JV race. (Nancy Stratton Photo)
Junior William Mezikofsky was 47th in 18:26 and sophomore Andrew Nett was 51st in 18:35.
The JV team finished as the 3rd place team behind Arlington and Lexington.
Sophomore George Palmer pulled away late to capture the individual crown in a time of 17:21. The performance moves Palmer up the depth chart to a varsity top 7 spot for the State meet on Nov. 12.
Sophomore Marcello Caruso had a personal best-run placing 11th in 17:57. Sam Bangston ran to a 13th place finish in 18:09. Matt McCoy was 19th in a time of 18:22. Sophomore Ethan Mezikofsky finished 20th in a time of 18:23. Joe Patt was 23rd in a time of 18:27 and Jacob Ciriello was 28th in 18:33 to close out the scoring in the JV race.
LEITH JONES took 4th overall in the varsity race at the Middlesex League Meet, helping the Warriors place 2nd overall as a team. (Nancy Stratton Photo)
In the freshmen race, David Rocca placed 12th in a time of 10:44. JP Casey placed 13th in 10:52. Aidan Burd finished 22nd in 11:12. Ryan Paige was 55th in a time of 12:29.
“I’m proud of what this group accomplished today,” said head coach Perry Pappas. “They have had some ups and downs this season but showed up ready to fight the whole way. We are excited and hopeful for the rest of the postseason.”
The Warriors travel to the Coaches Invite in Wrentham this Saturday before prepping for States the following week.
