Big Wave Invitational- Apponoquet Regional High School, Lakeville MA
The 1st ever Big Wave Invite looked like it was going to be an early season showdown between two stars of the south coast, Ty Enos of Dighton-Rehobeth and Mike Wyman of Old Rochester. With ORR resting the varsity squad this weekend the show belonged to Enos and he made quick and easy work of the flat, fast 2.5 mile course. The senior finished with a easy victory as he pulled away from the pack before mile 2 to win by over twenty seconds in a time of 13:10. After the race Enos said he was happy with being able to get the win while staying controlled in the early season matchup. He has larger goals for later and the season, so it was a good opportunity to get some invite experience without having to push too hard too early.
After Enos it looked like a Seekonk team training run, putting 9 boys in the top 20,including the runner up junior Alex Lanzi (13:33). Frank Mooney's boys showed they have the depth needed to bring them back to the class of their division. Jeremy Alley Tarter of Martha's Vineyard picked up the 3rd overall spot finishing in 13:37.
In the girls varsity division we had an exciting and tactical race between two ladies fighting for an early season invite victory. When the gun went off Bay Gammans of Fairhaven sprinted way ahead to a lead, pushing the pace early. By the time the mile mark rolled around it was a sea of purple as Martha's Vineyard seemed to have their whole team in the top 5 led by sister’s Julia and Lilly Neville. Gammans looked comfortable sitting in second and we knew it was setting up for a fast finish.
At 2 miles Gammons was back in the lead with Julia Neville right on her heels. As the pair neared the stadium and a series of switchbacks leading to the finish on the 50yd line Neville made a strong surge that Gammons quickly responded to. As the runners made the hairpin turn onto the track Gammons shifted into another gear and put a good sized gap between her a Neville. As Gammons crossed through the football goal posts she had the race locked up and sprinted in for a time of 16:33. The MV duo of Julia and Lilly went 2-3 in 16:48 and 17:51. Martha's Vineyard put all 5 scorers in the top ten.
The 1st annual Big Wave Invite was a well run meet with a very fast grass course. The perfect weather helped led to some great performances. Hats off to Apponoquet HS for running a great event. I suspect we will see this invite on a few more teams schedules next year.’