nepsac division iv cross country championship

Coming together Community spirit makes a major event

Behind the scenes at this year’s New England Prep School (NEPSAC) Division IV Cross Country Championship hosted on the Hebron trails.

the venue 16,400 feet length of the course traversing Western Way, Eastern Prom and the Field Loop; 350 vertical feet cumulative climb including what runners call the ‘mini-wall’ on Western Prom and ‘The Wall’ on Eastern Prom; 36 chilly degrees on race day, brisk but ideal for running; 1500 feet of fluorescent orange line, staked or tied, to define start and finish areas and 45 directional stakes positioned to guide the runners on their way; 35 cubic yards of close-packed gravel staged and spread in September to repair rough spots and smooth the way on the climbs; the participants 32 NEPSAC member schools; Representing all six New England States and New York; More than 350 athletes; Conducted by Hebron Academy for NEPSTA (New England Prep School Track Association) for NEPSAC (New England Prep School Athletic Conference), who represent 160 independent schools; the organizers & volunteers The athletes were supported by more than 35 volunteers including faculty, maintenance, health services & training staff, dining services, parents’ association and Pace Ambulance service; More than 30 Members of girls’ Field Hockey and JV Soccer who cleared course of sticks and small rocks during a ‘safety check’ two days before race day; A Race Jury of 5 selected from Coaches including Honorary Starter Gino Valeriani, coach of Hebron Cross Country for more than 30 years; Under direction of Hebron Athletic Director Leslie Guenther, Chief of Race.

highlights from this nepsac championship First event at Hebron conducted with timing recorded electronically by ‘chips’ embedded in commemorative bibs sporting the Hebron crossed-axes logo; New course record of 17:13 by Ethan Puc of Marianapolis School; Splits of 06:04 per mile by Jakob Lundstrom of Hebron who finished 5th of 181 Varsity Runners, earning AllNew England honors and an invitation to a ‘New England Champions’ race after the season; and a team score of 322 points posted by Hebron runners earning a 13th place team finish in a field of 26 boys’ varsity teams. post race awards and recognitions Estimated attendance of 700 Runners, coaches, parents and supporters at Awards Ceremony in the Williams Center; 40 top finishers and medalists announced by Cross Country Coach Eric Lundblade and James Falconer; 4 Team Champions on the Day: Dublin School (NH) and Dexter-Southfield (MA) for Varsity and Junior Varsity girls; Chase Collegiate School (CT) and Bancroft School (MA) for Varsity and Junior Varsity boys. and for the icing on the cake . . . 75 dozen of Gail Trundy’s famous chocolate chip, spice & oatmeal raisin cookies devoured by happy runners. Athletes and coaches commented that Hebron’s trails were a true test of trail running with varied footing, challenging climbs and everchanging corners and terrain, a very different course from parks and fields where often multiple short loops are the norm. Coaches also noted that the course was impeccably prepared for the late fall event creating a great day of racing to showcase Hebron’s outstanding facility and community spirit.