Bottom row from left, Coach Kimberly Kirk, Reese McCracken, Adrienne Christy, Eloise Christy, Carly Coggins, Grace Coggins, Edward Cherry and Linus Munn. Top row, from left, Duncan Brown, Calvin Brooks, Matthew Coggins, Zachary Utz and Coach Reaan Steenkamp. — Courtesy Kimberly Kirk
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The Martha’s Vineyard Hurricanes Youth Running Club competed in the ninth annual U.S. Track and Field Massachusetts Middle School Cross-Country Championships on Nov. 4 in Devens. The team made a strong showing, with six boys and five girls, and had several top 15 finishers; Adrienne Christy (West Tisbury) placed fifth with a time of 12:45 in the seventh grade race; her twin Eloise placed 15th, with a time of 12:04; and Zachary Utz (Tisbury) placed 12th in the eighth grade boys’ division with a time of 11:35. This annual race brought together more than 800 runners from private and public schools across Massachusetts in grades 5 through 8, and was the culmination of the Hurricanes’ cross-country season. It covered a 1.8-mile course of varying terrain. Competing eighth grade runners included Duncan Brown (15:37), Edward Cherry (14:50), and Calvin Brooks (15:34). Competing seventh grade runners included Matthew Coggins (14:11) and Linus Munn (14:11). Competing sixth grade runners included Reese McCracken (16:59). Competing fifth grade runners included twins Grace Coggins (16:03) and Carly Coggins (16:40). The Martha’s Vineyard Hurricanes Youth Running Club is a nonprofit club providing year-round running instruction and competitive opportunities for middle school kids on the island. The club focuses on creating healthy lifestyles, encouraging a lifetime love of running, and serves as a feeder program for the MVRHS cross-country and track teams. They are coached by Reaan Steenkamp and Kimberly Kirk.