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North Attleboro vs. Franklin
Middle School Track
@ North Attleboro
10/27/04
There is something about middle school cross country that defies explanation. As a high school coach, I watch with anticipation of who might be the next runner to join the North Attleboro family*. But Coach Patch summed it up best when he talked to the athletes about how they are able to challenge themselves no matter where they finish in a race.
The race I watched proved his point.
Team-wise the competition wasn't exceptional. Franklin didn't have enough runners to officially score a girls' race. In the boys' race, Franklin dominated, posting a 19-44 victory.
But the races up front were among the best I've watched this year and the spirit of the runners within the middle of the pack was great. Before I actually talk about the lead runners, let me add a degree of perspective.
When I organized the middle school teams in the early 90's I had one runner who was always near the back of the pack. He tried hard but just couldn't seem to stay up with the group. But he had heart. As a senior in high school he placed in the state finals in the two-mile and was a successful college runner for Boston College. He also moved on to become a successful high school coach. The point being that cross-country is a sport for those who have desire and believe in themselves.
That person was Mike Atwood. Every time I watch a middle school race I don't just follow the winners – exciting as that might be. Because there is always the chance that somewhere back in the pack is a runner that may not have yet found their stride, but has a heart so large that they will defy the odds and rise to excellence.
I witnessed a lot of heart today, not just in the lead pack. Good luck to all of those runners who have a spark. May your competitive spirit always burn brightly!
Now, within the tradition of rewarding present-time excellence, here is a little about today's winners.
First off was the girls' meet. It provided a match-up between NA's Chelsea Gavilanez and Franklin's Siobhan Duffy. At their last meeting Chelsea came out victorious by twelve seconds. This time she jumped to an early lead but Siobhan wasn't about to concede victory. She continued to stay within striking distance. But Chelsea never wavered – continuing to press the pace. Siobhan dug down consistently over the last half mile but was unable to close the gap, Chelsea eventually winning by 11 seconds. Both were nearly thirty seconds faster than in their first meeting on this course. Also running especially strong for NA was Katie Czepiel who placed third, and 6th grader Victoria Loring who was 4th .
Top 5
The boys' race was even closer. Jarret Schmauder of Franklin and Colin Murphy of North Attleboro gave the fans a thrilling race. They ran stride for stride throughout the race, Jarret usually setting the pace but Colin not conceding an inch. They entered the final field together and for a minute it looked like Jarret would pull away. But Colin wasn't about to let it happen. Just a half stride behind, Colin gave chase all the way to the line and was just edged at the finish. I can just imagine the type of dual these two can put on throughout a Hockomock League career.
Franklin sent a flood of runners over the line next, but NA wasn't far behind. The next NA runner was Patrick Comerford who covered the approximately 1.3 mile course in 8:47.
Top 5
Jarret Schmauder FR 7:45
Colin Murphy NA 7:46
Alex Gutkowski FR 8:19
Mike Flanagan FR 8:23
Kyle Preston FR 8:32
Jack Noble FR 8:43
NA's #2 Patrick Comerford 8:47
* the term "cross-country family" has special meaning. A special bond seems to exist among distance runners that is hard for others to understand. Perhaps it is because every member of the team confronts exactly the same circumstances. There is no specialization in cross country. Everyone runs the same distance. Whether freshman or senior - you run the same distance at the same time. But even more is that you confront the same practices. You are together - side by side - every day. There is a closeness developed spending hours together on the roads and paths. In meets there are no time outs, no sitting on the bench cheering others on, no excuses. You are what you run. In that respect cross-country might be the most intimidating of sports - but at the same time you are sharing the adventure with a group that goes through exactly the same trials. When you are done you finally understand what it means to be a member of the North Attleboro family - and become a part of NAXC history.