WRENTHAM – Both the Middleboro and Lakeville cross country teams competed in the MIAA Division II State Qualifier, but only the Apponequet girls team will move on to the final meet of the season. 

According to Apponequet Cross Country Head Coach Dan Rutledge, the girls placed in sixth place overall.

“I think it all starts with teamwork and them working together,” said Apponequet Girls Cross Country Coach Alex Walecka.

Hailey Desmarais set a personal record with a time of 18:58, which placed her in the top three for the girls’ competition. Desmarais and the girls’ team will move on to the  MIAA Division two Championship race at Willard Park, Fort Devens on Saturday, Nov.18. 

The Apponequet Girls Cross Country team’s feat is a monumental moment for Apponequet. According to Athletic Director James Cabucio the last time an Apponequet cross country team qualified for the championship was “longer than anyone can remember, more than 20 years [ago.]”

According to Rutledge, the boys cross country team placed in eleventh overall. 

“We had a lot of good performances,” said Rutledge. “The boys perform as a unified group almost because they all run very similar times.”

Apponequet runner Nathan Levesque led the pack with his time of 18:06. 

The Middleboro Boys’ Cross Country team came in 16th place overall. 

Although the boys team did not qualify to compete in the final meet, Lekan Sotonwa’s time of 16:44 earned him a spot at the championship race. 

The Middleboro Girls’ Cross Country team came in 17th place overall.

Sachem runner Haley Washburn led the Middleboro girls’ team with her time of 22:55. 

“All year they build towards this,” said Middleboro Head Cross Country Coach Thomas Smith.