LYNN — Throughout November, residents of Lynn and nearby areas could smell smoke that was coming from Lynn Woods, caused by brushfires. The fires caused damage to Lynn Woods and surrounding areas, which meant events like the 10th Annual Massachusetts State Elementary School Cross Country Championships had to be postponed.
Typically, the event is held on Veterans Day, but this year, due to the fires, it was pushed to this past Saturday.
Despite the cold weather, nearly 200 kids braved the conditions and took on the challenge. Runners (Pre-K-3rd grade) took on the 0.66-mile, one loop course, while others (grades 1-5) welcomed themselves to the two-loop course, which was 1.17 miles long.
The first of four races was the girls’ Pre-K to third grade race, in which Longmeadow first grader Kamila Jabiev took home first place with a time of 5:58. Lynn’s Emma Herrera, representing Callahan Elementary, was right behind with a 6:05 time.
In the boys’ race, Saugus’ AJ Diciero, of Belmonte Elementary, won comfortably with a 4:48 time. Liam Fay (JFK-Billerica) was second in 4:54, while Theodore Tambe of Natick placed third (5:05).
Showcasing the future talent within the city, Lynn Woods School had five finishers in the top 11.
The girls’ championship race (grades 1-5) came with a photo finish as Katherine Studer (Abott, Westford) edged Gia Sorcinelli (Tatham, West Springfield) with both finishing in 8:16. Callie Pines of Merriam took third place with an 8:59, while Sabine Thiel of Lexington was close behind with a 9:05. The first Lynn runner was Analia Baez of Lincoln Thomson Elementary, who recorded a time of 9:25.
The boys’ championship saw Emil Jabiev winning the race with a 7:54 pace. The win made it two for the Jabiev family, as Emil joined Kamilia in taking home the gold. Malden’s Luiz Sena finished second (8:07) with Middleton’s Declan Crossley (8:09), Saugus’ Luke Porrazzo (8:29), and Lynn’s Daniel Velasquez (8:30) following.
With races said and done, Lynn schools dominated team scoring. In the girls’ division, Hood School won the championship with 33 points. The team included Rubi Ramos (2 points), Ruqeebah Akande (5), Somaya Brissot (6), Layla Felton (8), and Leana Martinez (12).
Tracy took home second place with 60 points, while Ford finished third with 88 points.
On the boys’ side, perennial powerhouse Sparhawk Academy won the championship with 28 points. Two Lynn schools, Shoemaker (56) and Drewicz (66), rounded out the top three.
According to event representatives, “The Massachusetts Elementary School Cross Country Championship owes its existence to the course management, Steve Murphy and Chris Carter, golf pro Dave Sibley, Superintendent Kyle Levesque, Lynn Parks and Recreation’s Lisa Nerich, and Lynn Public Schools’ Colleen Peterson. … Many thanks to Sgt. Maj Jose Beato of Lynn English ROTC and his great group of young men and women and the ‘Woodies’ of Lynn Woods, who provide much support.”