The Mathews High School cross country teams competed in a quad meet last Wednesday in Lancaster and the 2013 William and Mary Cross Country Invitational on Saturday.
The boys’ squad advanced its record to 9-0 on Wednesday, easily winning the meet with 27 points against Lancaster (47), Middlesex (60) and Essex. The girls’ team suffered its first loss, falling to Lancaster 36-35 while beating Middlesex (65) and Essex to improve its record to 8-1.
Justin Adams led the charge for the boys last Wednesday, placing second to Middlesex’s Ridge Ellis. The rest of the varsity runners had strong finishes as well, placing fourth (Tucker Blackwell, 18:34), sixth (Sam Jasinski, 18:35), seventh (Phillip Machen, 18:46), eighth (Nick Brown, 18:50), ninth (Jalen Thomas, 18:57), and 11th (Lance South, 19:20).
Individually, the girls last Wednesday placed third (Kate van Emmerik, 22:22), fifth (Ellie Gale, 22:55), seventh (Kelly Nelson, 23:59), ninth (Emily Brown, 24:58), 10th (Kristen Fauber, 25:41), 11th (Logan Howlett, 25:47), and 17th (Maria Spadaccini, 27:43). Nelson and Spadaccini both got new personal records.
“Our girls gave a great effort, but Lancaster came out very aggressively to steal the win,” head coach Drew Greve said. “They have a great coach who always puts them in contention to win.”
The Devils traveled to Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg Saturday to compete in the 55th annual W&M Cross Country Invitational. The junior varsity girls placed ninth, the jayvee boys placed seventh, the varsity boys placed fourth, and the varsity girls placed seventh, in their respective races.
The jayvee girls kicked off the day of racing for the Blue Devils with phenomenal finishes. Leading the team was Emma Hudgins, placing second out of a field of 144 runners with a remarkable time and personal record of 22:32. Following Hudgins was Rileigh Betz (24:19) in 28th place, also taking minutes off her previous personal best. Completing the jayvee squad were Maddy Hobert (25:27, 52nd), Alyssa Curko (26:11, 71st) and Chloe Sanderson (29:51, 127th). Hobert and Curko ran personal bests as well.
Finishing first for the jayvee boys was Caleb Metzger, 28th, with a time of 19:55. Right on Metzger’s heels was Ryan Morgan, coming in at 20:01 and placing 33rd. Caleb Carson (20:47, 63rd), Sam Gale (21:41, 91st) and Nicholas Mann (21:50, 95th) finished out the scoring runners for the squad.
After taking a loss last Wednesday, the Mathews’ varsity girls were ready for action. Leading the squad was Kate van Emmerik, placing 7th overall with a time of 21:42. Tightening the gap between herself and van Emmerik was Ellie Gale (22:32) who placed 14th overall with a personal best. Kelly Nelson (24:46, 39th), Logan Howlett (26:24, 62nd), and Maria Spadaccini (28:57, 77th) completed the varsity squad Saturday.
The Blue Devils varsity boys’ squad finished fourth in the large field. Justin Adams led the boys and placed fourth overall with a time of 17:45. Tucker Blackwell (18:24, 11th), Nick Brown (19:22, 34th), Jalen Thomas (19:31, 41st) and Sam Jasinski (19:39, 44th) all contributed to the victory.
The Blue Devil harriers raced Gloucester and Bethel at Beaverdam Park yesterday.