The Wahconah Men’s Cross Country Team is back in 2022! After a very successful season last year, they have not graduated any scoring racers. A young team with a depth of ability is the key to success in cross country and that is what they have!

At the beginning of the season, the team knew they had immense potential for the year. After placing 15th out of 22 schools in the last season, they knew that with even a small improvement, they could place top 10 in the state. However, this would be hard. Over the summer, they were training at around 40 miles a week. This weekly goal consisted of a long run of around 9 miles, an interval workout, and easy runs. When the organized practices began, more workouts were added to the program, long runs became more adventurous, and racing came closer and closer. It was cross country season.

The first race kicked off at Greylock where every Berkshire County school showed up to score. The Warriors had a fight but all saw improvement in their times. Most varsity racers improved the course record by 30-60 seconds, a goal that was scarcely achievable on such a hilly course. 

The following race was at home and the season began with a blue sweep! Wahconah placed their top 6 in the whole meet’s top 6. It was Wahconah all the way until 7th place! This was a great sign for the Warriors as they knew they had improved even more. The work on their home course had paid off.

More and more races came and went and soon the season brought them to the Fort Devens Invitational. This wasn’t a normal county meet. It involved any school that felt they wanted to preview the States Competition. States would also be held in Fort Devens and becoming familiar with the course might prove beneficial in the big race. One of Wahconah’s state rivals, Uxbridge, who beat them last year at States, arrived to prove their speed. Yet when the results rolled in, Wahconah placed ahead of Uxbridge by 4. They are going to States.

Wahconah is such a strong team for two reasons. The boys aren’t just fast, they are numerous. The varsity team all races in under 19 minutes and 30 seconds. This is a very good time, but it’s even more important that every runner has this time. The placements will all be low which is a good thing when scoring for cross country. If only one racer had a low score, then the team score might not be strong. But with all the boys in a low placement, they can amount to a low total and win the big races. In addition, Wahconah does a lot of runs on hills and mountains, in the woods. They know trails, so when it’s time to get in the woods or climb a hill, they can proceed with ease.

In the long run, cross country has come a long way in a few years. The team, prior to last year, had never been to States. Now they’ve been for the second year in a row.