DEVENS — Colder weather and higher stakes didn’t slow down Marblehead High’s cross country runners on Saturday. The boys and girls teams raced in the Division 2A meets at Willard Field in Devens.
The boys captured first place with 65 points, followed by Plymouth South’s 67 and Boston Latin Academy’s 77 across the 26-team field.
“The boys were led, once again, by the dynamic duo of Will Cerrutti and Nate Assa, but they had company this week with teammate Jacob Szalewicz,” said Marblehead boys coach Brian Heenan. “Will and Nate crossed the line together, finishing first and second in 16:15. Watching them control the race was a site to behold. After they put some distance on the field, they were able to run a conservative race, knowing they will face some great competition at next week’s Division 2 state championship. Jacob made it a 1-2-3 finish as he once again ran a smart, tactical race.”
Szalewicz battled with two other runners throughout the 5K course, but grabbed control in the final 400 meters, finishing in third place with a time of 16:30.
Heading into the final stretch of the race, Henrik Adams (29th, 18:00) and Will Cruikshank (30th, 18:00) sealed a Marblehead victory.
“Henrik has battled back from illness this season and Will has had a quad strain for the last five weeks,” Heenan said. “Jonah Potach (51st, 18:35) competed in his first race in over a month. He has been dealing with a stress reaction in his foot. It was great to see them come through for the team. David Alpert (78th, 19:19) also had a great race. He has grown so much as a runner throughout his four years with the team.”
All in all, Heenan said the victory “wasn’t easy.
“The boys have been relentlessly training since June, much of that training led by the captains during captains’ practices throughout the summer,” he said. “Unfortunately, as with every season, we experienced injuries and illnesses that put today’s win in jeopardy.”
Heenan added that Marblehead’s ongoing teacher strike may have been on runners’ minds.
“I have told them to stay focused on their goals and hope for the best,” he said. “That is all they can control right now.”
Marblehead’s girls finished seventh.
“Despite the challenging course and Marblehead’s third runner having to DNF (did not finish) due to injury, they were still able to do enough to secure the seventh-place team finish,” said Marblehead girls coach Will Herlihy.
Leading the way was star runner Marri O’Connell (19:24.72).
“Who, despite battling an illness, still gave a heroic effort to finish second overall,” Herlihy said.
She was followed by Ruby Assa (top 35), Evelina Beletsky (55th), Jesslyn Roemer (65th), Abbie Goodwin (104th), Maren Potter (126th).
“Overall, it’s still a very encouraging showing from the young MHS team that will regroup for the MIAA Division 2 state championship on Nov. 16,” Herlihy said.
