WILMINGTON — The Wakefield High boys’ cross country team needed a win against Wilmington in order to remain in the Middlesex League Freedom Division title hunt. The Warriors did just that in a close, hard-fought race on the Wilmington High course with a 27-30 victory on Tuesday.
With Melrose (4-0) handing Burlington (3-1) their first loss on Tuesday, the Warriors (3-1) now have an opportunity to make it a three-way tie for the Freedom Division title if the Warriors can beat Melrose next week.
Senior captain Devin DeBerardinis didn’t hesitate to take the lead early in the race, pulling away from Wilmington’s top runner only a half mile in. He won in a fast time of 16:15.
Junior Alec Buonopane-Cohen was 4th in a time of 17:13. Senior Captain Max Viselli was 5th in a time of 17:21. Junior Sean Marra ran his best race to place 8th in 17:44. Junior Evan Buonopane-Cohen also had his best race placing 9th in 17:50.
Sophomore Noah Morrisseau placed 10th in 17:52 and junior Zach Richardson was 11th in 17:55 pushing Wilmington’s 5th runner to a lower placement contributing to the Warriors victory.
Senior captain Ryan Paige ran a time of 18:07 to place 13th. Junior Brendan Pritchard ran 18:15 to place 14th. Sophomore Max Levine was 16th with a time of 18:32.
The junior varsity squad had a dominating performance taking the first 10 places over Wilmington’s first runner. Sophomore Nick Hurley earned his first win with a time of 18:26. Sophomore Connor Moulton also ran strong placing 2nd in 18:41. Senior captain Aidan Burd was 3rd in 18:59. Sophomore Jack Ellis was 4th in 19:09. Freshman Connor Courtney was 5th in 19:35. Junior Taylor Miller placed 6th in 19:47. Freshman Matthew Houghton was 7th in 19:52. Junior Alex Riggs placed 8th in 20:00. Senior Ethan Caldo was 9th in 20:01. Junior Zach Davidson was 10th in 20:09.
The Warriors will face Melrose on Tuesday, 4:15 p.m. at the Pine Banks course.