By Jake Epstein
Sports Reporter
For the first time since 2008, the girls’ cross-country team took home the Eastern Mass. Division 1 State Championship trophy behind first and second place finishes from junior Clare Martin and senior captain Rebecca Grusby, respectively, on Saturday in Wrentham.
Following a second-place overall performance at the DCL Championship meet, South, with an average time of 19:22.19, edged out Lexington (19:56.31) by a score of 61-87 in the five kilometer race.
“It means a lot for the team to win divisionals this year because we’re in a really competitive division,” Grusby said. “It feels great knowing that we really fought for this win.”
After a loss to Lincoln-Sudbury in the DCL Championship, the girls were determined to prove their #2 state-ranking and reassure themselves as a powerhouse.
“Bringing home the Eastern Mass Division I State team title on Saturday was one of the greatest thrills of my high school career,” Martin said.
The Grusby-Martin duo has proved an issue to opposing teams, as the pair has been dominant due to training together extensively and a shared feeling of camaraderie.
“Clare has been an outstanding teammate this entire season,” Grusby said. “She’s been incredibly focused on reaching her goals, and she’s encouraged me all season to keep improving along with her.”
Martin, currently ranked third in the five kilometer race for all divisions in the state, says she owes part of her first place finish to the leadership of Grusby.
“She has also taught me the invaluable lesson of running pace, and is the grittiest runner I know,” Martin said.
Their coach, Steve McChesney, has urged the girls to “cherish their win,” but wants them to keep a level head going into the Division 1 All-State Championship meet this Saturday in Westfield.
“Bringing home the Eastern Mass Division I State team title on Saturday was one of the greatest thrills of my high school career,” Martin said.
