The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School girls and boys cross-country teams hosted more than a dozen schools from across Massachusetts Saturday afternoon in the eighth annual Vineyard Invitational meet.
Racing conditions along the 5K course through the State Forest were less than ideal for the 358 runners, who endured suffocating humidity and temperatures near 80 degrees. A stiff breeze and sporadic cloud cover provided occasional relief.
Varsity races
The Vineyard varsity girls placed sixth among 12 teams, finishing ahead of Barnstable, Falmouth, Advanced Math and Science Academy (Marlborough), Sturgis West (Hyannis), New Bedford, and Fontbonne Academy (Milton). Notre Dame Academy of Hingham took first place.
Pearl Vercruysse led the Vineyarders, finishing 19th with a time of 21:42.22. Julia Neville (22:13.59) was 25th, Mary McCarthy (23:38.46) 39th, Sabrina Reppert (24:22.06) 45th, Emma Reimer (24:58.32) 54th, and Willow Wunsch (25:50.97) 61st.
The Vineyard varsity boys came in seventh overall, topping Sturgis West, Plymouth North, Falmouth, and Durfee of Fall River. Milton Academy were the boys champs.
Patrick Best had the fastest Vineyard time, 17:51.60, and placed 12th. Nate D’Angelo was 13th (17:59.90), followed by 22. Daniel Gaines 18:29.30; 36. Aiveras Gedvilas 18:59.37; 55. Josh Boucher 19:58.69; 68. Chase Silvia 21:04.45; and 72. Kevin Montambault 21:50.18.
Jayvee events
Nearly 200 runners competed in the two junior varsity races. Ava Thors paced the Vineyard girls, placing 24th in 26:08.00. Next were 54. Lila Norris 29:10.31; 55. Katherine Reid 29:11.78; 67. Tessa Whitaker 31:36.75; 72. Megan Warenski 32:12.98; and 97. Autumn Richards 36:58.98.
Charlie Whalen (21:00.15), Otto Osmers (21:05.10), and Ethan Lefebvre (21:08.50) took positions 23 through 25 to lead the locals among the boys jayvees. 35. Aidan Aliberti 21:56.27; 37. Ryan O’Malley 22:02.26; 38. Justice Yennie 22:05.14; 48. Mitchell Chaves 23:12.02; 52. Evan Kristal 23:28.26; and 65. Nicholas Termini 24:34.69 rounded out the field for M.V.