Nine Bromfield girls and 13 boys traveled to Boston last weekend, Friday, Jan. 10, through Sunday, Jan. 12, to compete in the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association’s Northeast Invitational. The meet is the largest Massachusetts indoor track competition of the season and drew more than 5,000 athletes from across the state to the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center.
Friday night was “distance night,” Coach Marisa Steele told the Press. Bromfield entered nine athletes in 1-mile and 2-mile varsity and JV races, and all nine set personal records. “This group of distance runners is very dedicated to the sport, and most have been training consistently for several years,” said Steele. “Their results prove that consistency and commitment pays off.”
Junior Rosie Bradley placed fifth among 130 runners in the girls varsity 1-mile race (5 minutes, 15.49 seconds) followed by senior Evelyn Wool (5:16.47), who placed sixth. Both set new personal records and advanced their division, state and national rankings. Bradley and Wool now rank No.1 and No. 2 in the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 5 girls 1-mile and first and third, respectively, in the girls 2-mile.
“Both girls ran smart, very strategic races,” said Steele. “They are fortunate to have each other to help push through difficult training days, and they rely on each other during their races as well.”
Sophomore Ben McWaters placed fifth (9:50.72) in a seeded 2-mile varsity race on Sunday that included 19 of the top distance runners in Massachusetts. McWaters, who shaved 38 seconds off his previous best time, is now ranked No. 2 in the 2-mile among MIAA Division 5 runners.
Other notable performances of the weekend included those of sophomore Shea Van Cleef and freshman Kai Kemeza. Van Cleef placed third in the junior varsity 2-mile race (10:45.78) followed by Kemeza, who placed fourth (10:47.38). Both boys set new personal records.
“Kai is having a breakout season and is proving to be a dominant force as a freshman,” said Steele. He is currently the No. 1 Division 5 freshman in the 2-mile, No. 3 in the 1-mile, and No.3 in the 1-km. Micah Wiebe for freshmen is No. 3 in the 600-meter and No. 2 in the 1-km, Steele said.
