Bromfield’s girls and boys cross-country teams stepped up to the line one last time this afternoon, competing for the MIAA Division 3 all-state championship title in Wrentham, Nov 20. The boys team placed fifth and the girls finished 13th, each in a field of 21.
Sun and temperatures in the low 40s left the fields at the Wrentham Developmental Center firm for the six championship races, held to determine the top teams in each of three divisions. Division 3 teams are the smallest from across the state as determined by school enrollment. Bromfield’s athletes took advantage of the conditions to post several personal-best times.
Senior Captain Julian Iverson led the boys team, finishing 15th in a field of 186. Coach Marisa Steele said his time of 16 minutes, 35 seconds is the best of any athlete she has coached in her time at Bromfield. Just behind him was sophomore Jack Stahl in 17th and 16:44, followed by freshman Ethan Russo(17:41) in 63rd. Eighth-grader Harrison Binnick (17:56) was 74th in 17:51 and seventh-grader Christian Johannsen clinched 82nd in a battle to the finish to wrap up the team score at 202 points. Senior Nick Russo (18:03) placed 90th and sophomore Diesel (20:07) Whitten finished 175th.
“I just can’t be more proud of them,” said Coach Marisa Steele. She said the strategy all year has been not to leave anything behind on the course and she saw that today. “They just fight the whole way.”
Down a few key runners, the girls were led by freshman Emma Squire, who placed 12th out of 175 in a personal record time of 19:27. Next in was junior Molly Squire, running a season best of 21:01 for 56th and followed by seventh-grader Gabriella Temps (22:37) in 125th. Sophomore Abigail Ames (22:50) was 134th and Ally Becker ran a personal record time of 23:46, placing 152nd to finalize the team score at 376 points. Sophomore Arpi Mirzabegian (24:04) was 160th.
“They met my expectations and more,” said Coach Matt Lynde. He was satisfied with the team placement, but said the real accomplishment was in the individual performances. “I think everyone saved their best running for today, which is great.”
