PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth High School boys’ cross-country team came in 11th among 17 competing teams in Saturday’s Cross-Country State Championships held at Ponaganset High School.
“Last year we finished 10th and we graduated three seniors from that team. I am happy to see this group stay within reach of top 10. I have faith that next year we can improve upon that position,” said head coach Shaun Horgan.
The team qualified for the state meet by means of a third-place finish at the Class B Championships the week prior.
Over the 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) course, the Patriots’ finishers in order were: Kaden Kluth, 23rd, 16:40; Jeff Brady, 58th, 17:46; Joe Hook, 60th, 17:51; Tanner McHugh, 95th, 18:48; Chase Forch, 100th, 18:56; Parker West, 112th, 19:24; and Wake Zani, 119th, 19:47.
“Kaden ran a personal best and a very smart race,” said Mr. Horgan. “He wanted to get through the first mile around 5:19 and he hit it right on. With less than a mile left in the race, I counted him in 35th position, so he passed 12 guys from there to the finish, which is really just remarkable.”
Brady, Hook, and McHugh, he said, have consistently been the team’s second, third and fourth runners all season long.
“We can always rely on them,” said Mr. Horgan. “The other real standout was our fifth man, Chase Forch. Chase ran a minute faster than the week before at our class championships. He really stepped up.”
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