DEVENS — Middleboro and Apponequet Regional High School cross country teams are finishing up the 2024 season on a high note. 

After strong performances at the Division 2 Cross Country Championships on Saturday, Nov. 9 at Fort Devens military base, three runners from both schools will compete in the Massachusetts State Championships on Saturday, Nov.16. 

Middleboro junior Atley Phinney, along with Apponequet juniors Luca Rubini and Keltey Fournier will return to Fort Devens military base to race at States next weekend. 

The top seven teams from each race and the top 10 individuals who are not on the qualifying teams, make it to states. 

At the divisional meet, runners tackled a 3.1 mile course that featured a grueling, heart-rate-spiking climb. 

Phinney, who finished seventh in the 5000 meter boys Division 2 race, said his goal was to make it to states. Once he knew he had solidified a position that would get him there, it was just a matter of keeping up the pace, he noted.

“I knew I was fit and could be prepared to go to the next meet,” said Phinney, who will make his  State Championship debut next weekend. But to come out here and make that a reality, he said, “is very exciting.”

Sachems Assistant Coach Heather Montross noted how hard Phinney had worked all season. “I’m very proud of him, as a runner and as a person,” she said. 

The Sachems’ performance at Saturday’s race was on track with how the season went as a whole, despite some uncertainty at the beginning of the season, coaches said.

Describing how both boys and girls varsity teams finished the season with eight wins and one loss, Sachems Head Coach T.J. Smith noted how he’s “very, very happy with the way the season went.”

Apponequet’s Luca Rubini’s expression as he crossed the line left no doubt he had given all he had to make the cut for states. Rubini finished 27th overall but was the ninth runner to cross the line not on a qualifying team. 

Before hearing the final results, Apponequet Head Coach Dan Rutledge was hopeful that both Rubini and Fournier had made it to states. 

“Today went very well,” he said, noting that “the kids ran to what we expected.”

“We’re just happy to be here,” he said, relaying how the team had dealt with several injuries throughout the season. 

“We’re happy, we’re healthy, we’re fit,” he said, noting that although Saturday’s race marked the end of the season for many runners, athletes are already gearing up for indoor track. 

Rubini has his sights set on next year. “I think next year will be a pretty good team because most of us are juniors and we have another year to progress,” he noted.