THE WAKEFIELD 2018 All State team. Pictured from left to right is Derryn Langlois, Trevor Zupan, Matt Roberto, Rohan Singhvi, Casey Brackett, Billy Stevens and Tanner Jellison. (Courtesy Photo)

Published in the November 26, 2018 edition.

WESTFIELD — Six inches of snow didn’t stop hundreds of kids from making one final push for glory at the MIAA All State Championship on Nov. 18 in Westfield, a few hours west on the Mass Pike.

The Wakefield boys went to compete and finished as one of the best teams in Massachusetts, all while under the harshest of course conditions, finishing a solid 10th place as a team. They also finished as the first Division 3 team and ahead of last week’s D3 champions, Walpole.

The snow, ice, mud, puddles, rocks, and roots made maneuvering the 5K woodsy course a major challenge for all who competed, but cross country is a sport that is meant to be held under any conditions.

Times were not important since placing all five runners across the finish line before the rest of the teams had their fifth runner finish, is how a team wins.

Matt Roberto was the first Warrior to cross the line placing 40th in a race of almost 200 of the best runners in Massachusetts. His time was 17:27. Rohan Singhvi placed 68th in 17:46. Billy Stevens was 71st in a time of 17:48. Tanner Jellison placed 102nd in a time of 18:11. Casey Brackett was 110th in 18:20 to round out the scoring for the Warriors. Trevor Zupan placed 122nd in 18:27. Derryn Langlois was 173rd in 19:31.

The winning team was Concord-Carlisle as they edged a very strong Wellesley team. Lexington and Arlington placed 3rd and 4th in a rematch of the Middlesex League meet where Arlington were the champions. Mansfield, Needham, BC High, Brookline and St John’s Prep also placed ahead of the Warriors. Twenty teams qualified and competed for the championship.

“It was an interesting race to watch unfold,” said Wakefield head coach Perry Pappas. “It was the most difficult course conditions I have seen in a very long time. I was proud of the boys for fighting through yet another important race and having a good team showing as a result.”