BXC Enters 300 Runner Invitational
This past Saturday, boys’ cross country competed at the Maine Festival of Champions, a large invitational against public schools from Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont and New Hampshire. The boys placed 4th out of over sixty schools, an impressive result that is a good sign for the quickly-approaching New England Championships.
The race was significantly larger than typical dual meets, with 300 runners on the starting line instead of the usual 14. With more runners came greater competition, a challenge that the boys readily accepted.
Upper Issay Matsumoto acknowledged fellow upper Jiro Mizuno’s impressive race, praising how he stepped up in the face of an intimidating number of racers. “This was not like your typical Deerfield dual meet,” he said. “With 64 schools competing, I recall seeing a particularly savage Jiro Mizuno tearing through the competition.”
“Even though we didn’t win, I have no regrets. The race was hard, sweaty and dank.”
Mizuno also commented on the team’s tenacity in the tough race. “Conditions in Maine were autumnal, cold and sneeze-worthy, but we did not back down. Even when there was about 300 other kids right next us, we pushed, kicked and ran ourselves to the finish line,” Mizuno said.
With solid races from uppers Garrett Pitt, Cam Corso, Jiro Mizuno, Issay Matsumoto and Isaac Fingerson, the team secured a fourth place finish. This strong, tight-knit group of varsity runners looks to continue the team’s legacy, which consists of four consecutive New England titles. “With standout performances from Garrett Pitt and Cam ‘Scamer’ Corso, our team is making great strides in the power of our program: the pack,” Matsumoto said.
Competing against schools outside of the NEPSTA league was a memorable way for the boys to hone their racing strategies. Not only was the meet successful, it was a fun experience for the entire team. “Belfast was a really welcoming place. One local commented on our pre-race strategy of cuddling together,” Pitt said. “They also supplied a skilled flutist who inspired runners by playing Harry Potter theme songs at mile 1.5.”
Coming off of the Festival of Champions, the team has a newfound confidence in its ability to prepare for a variety of racing situations. Although fourth place is a rare position for a team used to winning, the result was impressive given the sheer number of teams competing. Mizuno found many positive takeaways from the race.
“Even though we didn’t win, I have no regrets. The race was hard, sweaty and dank. Boys XC proved that even in radically different races, we could still adapt and fight with valor,” Mizuno said.
As always, the boys have their eyes on a fifth consecutive New England title. With only a handful of meets before the championships, the pressure is mounting to uphold the team’s name. The team’s pack running tactics are starting to improve, and with a solid showing in a competitive meet under their belts, Big Red is ready to go for the win.
“We aren’t losers, but winners. And only winners can be New England Champions. The plaque is waiting for us,” Mizuno said.