The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) harriers competed Saturday at the MIAA Divisional Championships in Wrentham and turned in an outstanding performance.
Vineyard sophomore Peter Burke placed 13th of 165 runners with a time of 16:53.20 to qualify for the state finals in Wrentham on Saturday, beginning at 11 am.
The top four teams, plus two wild cards each from large and small schools, advance to states. Accounting for the qualifying teams, the results are reranked, with the top seven individual times also qualifying for states. As such, Mr. Burke’s time gave him the sixth individual spot. The Vineyard boys placed an impressive ninth of 27 teams in Division 5, with an average time of 17:49.
“A great day and a great season,” said Vineyard Coach Joe Schroeder. “The kids ran their hearts out.”
Sophomore Catherine Cherry turned in another stellar effort, clocking in at 19:42.94, just one second shy of her personal best, to place 12th of 153, which, unfortunately, fell one position short of the top seven individual times. “Catherine ran an unbelievable race,” Coach Schroeder said. “I’ve never had a girl place that high and not make it through.”
Amber Cuthbert also competed for the Vineyard girls and capped off her freshman season by placing 29th, with a personal best time of 20:46.03.
Rounding out a strong field for the Vineyard boys were Owen Porterfield (17:36.01, 43rd); Isaac Richards (17.50.98, 48th); Owen Atkins (18:10.16, 60th); Otto Osmers (18:37.13, 85th); and Charlie Whalen (18:48.24, 98th).
Wednesday morning, Catherine Cherry and Peter Burke represented the Eastern Athletic Conference, joining 60 student athletes honored at the MIAA Cross-Country Recognition Breakfast in Franklin.
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