Cross Country Team Breaks Records

The Chariho Boys and Girls Cross Country team had a record-breaking appearance at the Manhattan Cross Country Invitational, the most anticipated meet of the season and one of the the most competitive high school cross country races in the United States.

On Friday, October 13 the team excitedly left school on the three hour bus ride to Manhattan, New York. Their journey was rewarded when twenty-two boys medaled and placed, which broke the Chariho record for the most medals won in one meet. Coach Haberak, the head coach of the boys’ team, knew that his team had great potential this year, but he didn’t expect the team to do so overwhelmingly well at this cross country race. He stated, “If you had told me we were going to break the medal record before I wouldn’t have believed you.” Placing second in the Varsity A race, the boys varsity team showed extreme determination. Chargers top male runner, Evan O’Neill, suffered from a large cut to his arm on a fence within the first 400 meters of the race. Despite the injury, O’Neil continued on to victory.

There was also a lot of success on the girls’ team as well. All four of the freshman were able to medal as the top 75 in the Freshman A race. Chariho’s top female runner, Elizabeth LaCroix, came in 45th overall and was able to medal. Outstanding freshman Abigail Cole also did very well and came in 106th. Not only did the girls do really well, but they also enjoyed the trip to New York. Freshman Cordelia Calberson said, “A great part of the trip was getting to eat a piece of cake from an amazing cake shop after finishing a hard race.” It wasn’t just the success both teams had at this competitive race, but the team bonding and the experience that made this trip so memorable.