Mike Miller recaps the Central Mass State Championships
GARDNER — For 14 years, runners from all corners of the state have tried to break the boys' cross-country record at the 2.9-mile Gardner Municipal Golf Course. Yesterday, St. John's High senior Jonathan Green not only broke the mark of 14 minutes flat set by Oliver Ames' Andy Powell in 1998, he smashed it. Green ran a 13:50.8 to defend his Central Mass. Division 1 title in near-ideal conditions on the steep and challenging layout. Wachusett Regional senior Colin Bennie, who beat Green at last month's Wachusett Invitational, was second in 14.26.9.
Kroy (York IL) get their 9th straight NXN berth, Carmel girls win 2nd straight at NXN MW! Ashley Erba, Alex Riba get individual wins! (Photo by Ken Moreland)
It's been 16 weeks since many of the Massachusetts State harriers first laced up their running shoes in preparation for this weekends State Championships. Everyone is prepared and ready to go. This is the most exciting meet of the year for many runners. For some, it's the final destination, but for others, it is nothing but a speed bump on the climb to Northfield Mountain.
Coach Miller made his predictions known in August for the upcoming fall season, and while he nailed his share, boy was he off on a few. The burly coach revisits his predictions in this divisional meet preview and points out what he hit on, what he missed on, and where he wasn't even in the ballpark of. We move on to the Central region next.