The early prognosis has the Cumberland High boys among one of the top squads this cross-country season.
And judging by the results of Saturday’s Cumberlandfest 5K road race, the summer training appears to be suiting the Clippers just fine for the upcoming fall campaign.
Cumberland occupied the first three placements and five of the top 10 placements at the 24th annual event, held at Diamond Hill State Park. Junior Sean Laverty captured the individual title with a personal best of 16 minutes, 18 seconds. He was a comfortable 20-seconds ahead of senior teammate Abdullah Kaba. Classmate David Agudelo was third, also under 17 minutes with a 16:51 effort.
“It’s a good practice race for the start of the year,” Laverty said. “All our races are 5K so this is definitely what we wanted to be doing.”
Laverty and Kaba dictated the pace from the start on Diamond Hill Road. The tandem passed through their opening mile at 5:25.
“The first hill was a little bit of a challenge but my teammate Abdullah Kaba and I just kind of pushed through it,” said Laverty, making reference to the tough quarter-mile incline that greets runners during the first mile. “I was looking for a PR today. I kept picking up the pace and bringing (Kaba) along. He kind of helped me out. He helped me push at a mile and a half. I felt really good up to the two-mile mark. The downhill at the end felt pretty good, too.”
La Salle Academy is the overwhelming favorite for this year’s state X-C title with defending champion Bishop Hendricken also a possible contender. With most of its runners back from last year’s team that finished fifth overall, Cumberland is certainly one of those teams that could figure into the mix.
Saturday’s race was a good indicator. Finishing seventh overall was Clipper junior Chris Haupt in 17:50. Junior Will Mardo was tenth with an 18:59 clocking.
“This year we are going to have one of our strongest teams since I’ve been on the team,” Laverty said. “Everybody is doing great. I think we can have our whole top seven under 17 minutes. That would be prenominal if we could do that.”
In the women’s race, recent King Phillip graduate Amanda MacDonald of Wrentham, Mass., was the first to break the tape with a time of 20:54. The 18-year-old MacDonald was 23rd overall among the 117 finishers. Cumberland junior Amy Laverty was second and 28th overall at 21:36.
“I just wanted to stay in the 20 (minute) range because I am running for college and I need to stay in the 20 (minute) range to be in the top ten for my school,” said MacDonald, who will be going to University of New England in Maine this fall. “It was pretty hot today but it was as good as it’s going to get for a hot day.”