The two best runners in the state of Massachusetts are the Marathon Sports "Athlete's of the Week". Ater they enjoy their Thanksgiving holiday they will be packing their bags for the biggest race of the season, the Northeast Footlocker Cross-Country Championships on Van Cortlandt Park in New York.
Catarina Rocha Senior Peabody High School
Some people are old enough to remember Catarina's parents, Joe and Gina, as they dominated Massachusetts in the 1980's. Some may also remember her Uncle Fernando Braz , who was one of the best to ever run in our State. Then we have Uncle Helder, who was a Division 3 All American at Umass Dartmouth, and Aunt Hilaria who also ran at Umass Dartmouth. Can you imagine what it must be like at Thanksgiving for this amazing family ! Even though Catarina has an amazing running family and blessed with an obvious genetic makeup, she has worked extra hard this year to raise her game to another level. Her Coach / Father realized she needed to get physically stronger and it is quite obvious it has worked to perfection. She has not lost a Cross Country race in Massachusetts since her sophomore season. She will be looking to make her third trip to the Footlocker Finals. She has so many accomplishments to name, but I am sure the one she is most proud of was leading her Peabody Tanner team to an All State Championships last weekend.
Jonathan Green Senior Saint John's- Shrewbury
Like Catarina Rocha, Jonathan Green has left his mark in Massachusetts. He knocked down two State records with ease on both the Northfield Mountain and the Gardner Golf Course. He is now a two time All State Champion, something that has been accomplished only a handful of times. Earlier in the season he captured the Ocean State Invitational. In a statement race, he won the Bay State Invitational over rival Colin Bennie on Northfield Mountain. Jonathan Green has taken his game up a notch and it will be very interesting as he will go up against defending Champion in Edward Cheserek this weekend at the Footlocker Northeast Regional Championships in New York. He will be looking to make his second trip out to San Diego for the Finals.