WHS Cross Country teams compete in Regional Championships

By Matt Pascarella

Windham High School’s boys’ and girls’ Cross Country teams competed in the Regional Championships against teams from all over the state at Twin Brooks Recreation Area in Cumberland on Saturday, Oct. 24. Both Windham teams have been working hard in preparation for this very hard course, and although neither team qualified for the State Championship, both teams did well with the girls’ finishing 14th with a score of 358 and the boys’ finishing 16th with a score of 448.

Windham freshman Sam Jaynes makes his way to the finish
line during the Class A Cross Country Regional
Championships at Twin brooks Recreation Area in
Cumberland on Saturday, Oct. 24.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA  

“I think we knew it was going to be hard to qualify as a team,” said Windham cross country coach Paula Pock. “Our goal was to have everyone run an awesome race and finish the season on a high note. A couple of these kids just ran out of their shoes – it was impressive. This is a pretty challenging course, and we talked a lot about mindset, pushing through and staying positive. They did a great job of maintaining and staying strong throughout the whole thing.”

GIRLS

Senior Stephanie Roghelia finished first for Windham and 60th overall with a time of 24:05.88 minutes.

“We prepared for today by practicing hills because this is a very hilly course and also our intervals and pacing,” said Roghelia. “Our hill work and pacing went really well.” I wish we could have run the course first to get the experience of what it was going to feel like.”

In second place for Windham was senior Grace Lee who finished 66th overall with a 24:37.59 time.

Lee said the team got out pretty well and they were all able to get themselves in a good position with the pack they were in and stay with most of the race.

Both Lee and Roghelia said that they were very proud of their team and for their last race they were glad everyone did their best.

Alanna Lewis, a senior, finished third for Windham and 77th overall with a time of 25:48.09.

All seven runners ran the course in under 28 minutes.

BOYS

“My goal for the day was to run a similar time to what I ran my sophomore year, and I think I hit that time I was looking for today,” said Windham senior Mason Bragdon who finished first for Windham, 73rd overall and ran the course in 20:05.75. “I’ve run this course close to 10 times as of now and it’s one of my toughest courses every single time. The terrain topography is really, really tough; especially when you have so many people funneling through ... it’s difficult to navigate. The start went really well and was fast. Into the second mile I felt consistent, I was in my place and held my place pretty much all the way into the end. A little bit more hill work would have been helpful. It’s my final race, I’m really happy with how I did. I’m glad I’m leaving it in the hands of some of the fast runners here.” 

Freshman Sam Jaynes finished second for Windham and 77th overall with a time of 20:07.69.

Franklin Murray, a freshman, finished third for the Eagles and 96th overall with a 21:17.40 time.

The seven runners each finished the course in under 24 minutes.

“They were so supportive of each other,” said Pock. “We ran really well within their abilities. We understood from the beginning of the season that it was going to be a building year, and we just really ran strong. Our upperclassmen were great role models and were really encouraging to the younger athletes. We are looking forward to next year.” <