The Ocean State Invitational once again brought together many of New England’s strongest high school cross-country programs, with races spanning freshmen, junior varsity, varsity, and championship divisions.
For small school programs, the meet serves as one of the most competitive tests of the season, with perennial powers such as St. John’s Prep, Parker Charter, Westford Academy, Billerica Memorial, and Lexington in the mix with Bromfield.
Against this backdrop, Bromfield athletes produced strong team and individual performances, stacking up well against top-level competition. The boys team, currently ranked No. 4 in MIAA Division 3 this season, validated that status with a third place podium finish in a deep varsity field.
Girls races
Junior Rosie Bradley toed the line in the championship girls 5K, placing 22nd overall with a time of 19 minutes, 32.1 seconds against some of the best runners in New England, including winner Abigail Hennessey of Westford Academy (17:35.7) and Whitinsville Christian’s Emily Flagg (18:09.6, third).
In the small schools varsity race, junior Jacquie Wilkins led the way for the Trojans, finishing 31st in 21:35.3, while sophomore Abby Wool was next in 55th place at 22:21.1. Senior Christina Kekis followed in 65th with a 22:48.3 clocking, and senior Helen Holzmann placed 92nd at 23:22.0. Rounding out the team’s scoring five was junior Gabriella Temps, who crossed in 125th with a time of 24:06.0. The group combined for a ninth-place team finish with 298 points and a 22:50 average.
The Bromfield team “did not disappoint,” said girls coach Matt Lynde, noting that the Ocean State championship race “brings out some of the best individual and team runners in New England,” including Bromfield’s Bradley. “For the second year in a row, Rosie medaled (No. 22 overall) in the premier event, finishing 12 seconds faster than her previous time,” he said.
Boys varsity race
With a 54-second 1–5 split and a 17:32 average, Bromfield secured third place overall with 166 points, trailing only Parker Charter (first, 123 points, 17.13 average) and East Greenwich (second, 165 points, 17.32).
Junior Ben McWaters paced Bromfield with an outstanding seventh-place finish in 16:52.8, leading the Trojans in a race dominated by Parker Charter and Hamilton-Wenham. Senior Christian Johannesen followed in 32nd place with a time of 17:34.0, while senior Liam Kemeza placed 37th in 17:39.9 and sophomore Kai Kemeza was close behind in 44th with a 17:46.7 showing. Senior Harrison Binnick rounded out the scoring five with a 46th-place finish in 17:47.2.
Also contributing strong efforts were junior Shea Van Cleef, who placed 50th in 17:54.5, and sophomore Micah Wiebe, who finished 95th in 18:38.0.
Boys coach Marisa Steele said she was pleased with the third-place finish. “All of our guys were able to get off the line fast to establish a good position before the course narrowed down,” she said. But to be competitive in big meets, she added, the team “will need to work on maintaining [its] position better in the middle part of the course.” Steele said McWaters ran “an impressive race,” despite a stress fracture that kept him from running over the summer. “I anticipate he will be back to full form by the time championship meets roll around.”
The boys cross-country team poses with a plaque after placing third at the Ocean State Invitational. From left: Cole Maddalone, Shea Van Cleef, Liam Kemeza, Ben McWaters, Christian Johannesen, Kai Kemeza, Harrison Binnick, and Micah Wiebe.(Courtesy photo)
Looking ahead
Bromfield now turns its attention to key upcoming dual meets and invitational tests as teams prepare for the championship stretch. With the boys firmly ranked among the Top 5 in Division 3 statewide and the girls continuing to gain valuable experience against elite competition, both squads are positioning themselves as contenders in the divisional championship races this fall.
Michael Burns is a student at Fitchburg State University.
Ocean State Invitationals, Sept. 27
Top 5 Bromfield varsity finishers
Boys
- Ben McWaters, 16 minutes, 52.8 seconds, seventh place
- Christian Johannesen, 17:34.0, 32nd
- Liam Kemeza, 17:39.9, 37th
- Kai Kemeza, 17:46.7, 44th
- Harrison Binnick, 17:47.2, 46th
Girls
- Rosie Bradley, 19:32.1 22nd (championship race)
- Jacquie Wilkins, 21:35.3, 31st
- Abby Wool, 22:21.1, 55th
- Christina Kekis, 22:48.3, 65th
- Helen Holzmann, 23:22.0, 92nd
