WMHS’ OUTDOOR TRACK TEAM travelled to Greensboro, North Carolina to compete in the New Balance Nationals Outdoor. The two teams consisted of Ana Lucas, Ava Vaughan, Abby Harrington, Allee Purcell, and Matt Greatorex, Ryan Sullivan, Nick McGee, and Adam Roberto.
Published in the June 20, 2017 edition.
The following was submitted by boys’ cross country head coach Perry Pappas.
GREENSBORO —This weekend the boys’ 4×800 team and girls’ 800 meter Sprint Medley team traveled to Greensboro, North Carolina to compete in the prestigious New Balance National Championship. They qualified with outstanding performances this season.
The 4×800 team of Matt Greatorex, Ryan Sullivan, Nick McGee, and Adam Roberto placed 19th in the Emerging Elite division with a time of 8:02.43. After a week where the boys had to withdraw from the New England Championship due to an injury, they showed how resilient they are and performed at a high level once again. Their qualifying time was 7:59.07 which set the school record when they placed 5th at All States two weeks ago. The boys have had a fantastic year as they also qualified and competed in the Indoor National Championship this winter.
Matt Greatorex opened up the relay with a strong leg in an 800 split of 1:57.54 and was able to hand off in 2nd place. Ryan Sullivan took over and ran a split of 2:00.16, giving the Warriors the lead. Nick McGee ran a solid leg in 2:03.39. Adam Roberto anchored in a time of 2:01.36 to help the team finish 6th in their heat.
It’s been an amazing experience watching these four boys work together and push themselves for the team. They are a special group that can’t be replaced. Fortunately, the athletes returning have begun to follow their lead in work ethic and leadership.
The girls’ 800 meter Sprint Medley relay team of Ana Lucas, Ava Vaughan, Abby Harrington, and Allee Purcell, also known as the A-team, had an excellent showing at Aggie Stadium. They placed 4th in their heat and 24th overall in the Emerging Elite division with a time of 1:52.61. Lucas opened up with a strong 100 meter leg and handed off to first year sprinter Vaughan, who also ran 100 meters. Abby Harrington ran the 200 meter leg. The three girls combined for an official time of 53.25 before handing off to Purcell who ran a full lap of 400 meters and a time of 59.37.
