Mathews High School’s Cross Country teams again ruled all competition at the meet in West Point last Wednesday.
The boys’ squad won with a team score of 27 points over Lancaster (59), West Point (93), Middlesex (94), King William (126) and Northumberland (146). The girls took down their opponents with a team score of 35, over West Point (52), Lancaster (63), King William (92), Middlesex (100), and Northumberland (forfeit).
Justin Adams led the boys’ team to its win, placing second with a time of 17:23. Following Adams were Phillip Machen and Tucker Blackwell at 18:21 and 18:46 respectively. Jayvee runner Caleb Carson had an incredible race, placing fourth for MHS and seventh overall with a new personal record of 18:50. A string of Mathews boys completed the race in the 19 minute range: Sam Jasinski (19:18, eighth), Nick Brown (19:26, ninth), Jalen Thomas (19:36, 10th), Caleb Metzger (19:43, 11th), Lance South (19:46, 13th), Tommy Mayo (19:46, 14th), and Sam Gale (19:52, 17th) made for a parade of royal blue uniforms. Hunter Wright (20:19, 26th) and Michael Stewart (21:19, 36th) also had solid runs.
Jayvee runner Emma Hudgins led the charge for the girls’ squad placing seventh with a time of 22:32, although she is ineligible to score for the Lady Devils. Ellie Gale was the first varsity runner over the line, finishing ninth with a time of 22:46. Kate van Emmerik (22:58, 12th), Kristen Fauber (23:27, 13th), Kaitlyn Thompson (23:31, 14th), and Emily Brown (24:01, 18th) also scored for Mathews.
Fauber had a breakout performance, crushing her previous personal record by several minutes and taking it upon herself to rise up to the occasion when her teammates needed the points. “I was really proud of Kristen today,” coach Drew Greve said. “A lot of runners broke their personal records today, but she completely redefined her limits in one race.”
Rileigh Betz (24:01, 19th), Maddy Hobert (24:03, 20th) and Alyssa Curko (24:07, 21st) were also strong finishers for the Lady Devils, coming in as an impressive pack. Logan Howlett (25:22, 28th), Maria Spadaccini (26:40, 33rd), and Chloe Sanderson (28:42, 46th) finished out the girls’ team last Wednesday.
The Blue Devils competed in their last regular season race on Tuesday at their home course at Beaverdam Park against Washington & Lee and Essex. It was also senior night for the Blue Devils.