FALMOUTH – The St. Mary’s cross country team traveled down to Cape Cod Fairgrounds for its annual overnight team trip to compete in the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association Bob Glennon Twilight Invitational on Friday, featuring more than 100 schools from across New England.
The team walked away with personal bests, and memories.
“Obviously, there’s an energy and hype to this meet that makes it circled on our calendar,” said coach Tristan Smith. “It’s a fast course, a lot of competition, and it is at a good time in the season where the athletes can realize some gains and put up some times.”
And put up some times, they did. At 5:15 p.m., the first gun went off for the co-ed Novice Division race (2.1 miles).
Smith was particularly proud of junior Derek Tarraza, who has been battling shin splints all season.
“It was great to see Derek cross the finish line. Despite his injury, he’s been showing up consistently and putting in the work to get better. He is a great role model for the other athletes,” Smith said.
As the sun went down, the competition went up, with the junior varsity and varsity division races underway. Amongst glow sticks and speakers, the gun went off at 8:40 p.m. for the boys varsity race, in which St. Mary’s entered seven athletes.
Its three senior captains led the way, each running personal records. Kyle Kwiatek medaled with an 11th place performance, running 16:07, followed by Matt Terrien (40th, 17:09) and Matheus Menezes-Avendanha (63rd, 17:40).
“I loved seeing this trio, which has worked so hard for four years and beyond, perform to that level tonight,” Smith said.
Smith had particular praise for Kwiatek.
“If this is the best race of Kyle’s high school cross country career, then it is one heck of a crown jewel on what has been a special run,” said Smith, who has coached Kwiatek since the sixth grade.
The girls varsity race went off at 9:30 p.m. – a late gun for the group that had been sitting in a classroom 12 hours prior.
That said, there was no fatigue in sight. Freshman Kelsey Kwiatek led the pack, finishing in 19:37, followed by eighth-grader Nina Lopes (22:51), senior Sophia O’Brien (24:37), and freshman Chloe Mahoney (24:55).
“To have three underclassmen, one of whom is in middle school, out there alongside a senior captain, Sophia, really makes me happy,” Smith said.
All in all, it was worth the trip according to Smith, with athletes across the 36-runner roster running season or personal bests.
“There’s something about this course, this night, and the vibe here,” Smith said. “This is what cross country should be like.”
The Spartans conclude their regular season against Arlington Catholic and Bishop Stang at Bishop Stang on Tuesday (4 p.m.).
