"The boys' 68 point victory over their closest rival Lyndon Institute was the largest margin of victory in a state cross country meet since records have been kept," said their coach John Kerrigan.
Harwood placed Eamon Welter (3), Caleb Kernan (7), Tim Shepard (9), Colton Crowley (15), Sam McCausland (16), Nick Wisniewski (21) and Mike Shepard (35).
"They were awesome today! I am proud of their efforts. They deserved this victory," said Kerrigan. This was the 10th state title for Harwood cross country and Kerrigan's 23rd state championship.
"Having fine athletes like these boys makes it easy for a coach and his team to be successful." It looks like Harwood cross country will be a force to reckon with in the years to come, as only their seventh runner, Mike Shepard, is a senior," Kerrigan added.
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GIRLS PLACE FIFTH
Harwood girls' cross country team packed all seven runners in the top half of the competitive state meet field to end the season on a positive note. Returning state champion Annie Mendes who has been struggling the last few weeks ended her remarkable career with an impressive third place. Zari Sadri set the bar for her teammates by finishing 23rd. Heather Cutler, also a senior, capped an impressive senior year by finishing 30th.
"Kim Martin (41), Chelsea Robinson (46), Kelsey Bush (47) and Elena Bilodeau (48) provide Harwood with a stable of excellent returning runners for 2008," Kerrigan said.
"The girls ran well today, probably the best they have done the entire month of October. That is what you want: your best race on the biggest day," he said.
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HU XC RUNNERS QUALIFY FOR NEs
For their efforts in finishing among the top 25 school boy and school girl runners in the entire state of Vermont, Annie Mendes and Eamon Welter qualified to compete in the prestigious New England Cross Country Championships.
"It will be the second straight year that these two runners have qualified for the New Englands. They are hoping to improve upon middle of the pack finishes from last year," said Kerrigan.
The New England Cross Country Championships will take place November 10 in Cumberland, Maine.
