During Day 1 of the New Balance Nationals Outdoor (NBNO) Championships on Thursday, it was the distance runners that took center stage for the Bay State.
The highlight of the day occurred in one of the final events of the track.
In the boys’ Championship 5,000-meter run, a trio of athletes made the podium. Catholic Memorial’s Chris Sullivan led the way by placing second overall with a PR of 14 minutes, 29.64. Sullivan, who was seventh at the indoor nationals, was among the lead pack throughout the race. He covered his final 400,m in 59.20, the fastest split among the field. Framingham’s Sam Burgess grabbed third with a best of 14:33.41. He was followed by Uxbridge’s Aidan Ross in fifth at 14:47.98, also a PR. Just missing a podium placement was Roxbury’s Latin’s Kofi Fordjour, who was seventh in 14:56.44. Burlington’s Rithikh Prakash averaged sub-5 pace with a time of 15:17.05, good for 11th overall.
Lexington’s Ava Criniti was 19th in the girls’ 5K where she crossed the line in 17:42.35.
In the Distance Medley Relay, Concord Carlise earned All American by virtue of a top-six finish. The Patriots’ quartet of Ray Pavlik, Charlie Kessler, Harrison Dow nd Henry Reichie combined for a time of 17:37.37 to secure third in the field of 32 teams.
Wellesley’s Charlotte Tuxbury was tenth in the Freshmen Mile where she was timed in 5:15.55.
