After a successful, undefeated season, the WA Boys’ Cross Country team has qualified for the Massachusetts State Meet. The meet takes place on Saturday, November 20th, at Wrentham Development Center.

The team has had an impressive season throughout the highly competitive DCL conference, going an undefeated 5-0 in conference races the entire year. Vital wins included meets against a strong Concord-Carlisle team, as well as WA’s rival Acton-Boxborough.

Throughout the entire season, sophomore top runner Paul Bergeron has led himself and WA to their placement in the state meet. 

“I think the biggest factor for the team’s success this season has been hard work over the summer and having enough confidence in our ability to beat some really talented teams,” Bergeron said. “I also think that it is very important to have at least some level of team chemistry as it is a team sport and having faith in my teammates can help me race better individually.”

Last weekend, WA placed third in the Divisionals race, behind just Brookline and St. John’s Prep, solidifying their spot in the upcoming Division 1 state meet. Bergeron registered a time of 15:52 for the 3k race, leading the WA boys at eighth place overall.

“Our top 7 we will bring to the start line on the day of the race [Saturday] will be Paul Bergeron (15:52), Anthony Chiappetta (16:11), Jack Graffeo (16:35), Austin DeSisto (16:39), Zachary Freyman (16:41), Adam Wedlake (17:12), and Davis Haines (17:22),” Bergeron said. “Our team has grown mentally and physically stronger throughout the season and I think we are ready to give our all in a high-stakes championship race on Saturday.”

It is evident that WA can compete with any team in the state, especially after their undefeated season in the DCL. Now, the team’s eyes are set on Saturday’s meet as they seek to come home with a state championship.

“A lot of the competition that we will be facing this Saturday will be similar to the competition we faced last Saturday at Divisional’s. Our average time last Saturday was beaten by three teams in Division 1 and I think our biggest competition will be those three schools and a few schools that placed closely behind us,” Bergeron said. “I think our team is just as likely as any other frontrunner to win the state title, we just need to focus on the race, as the work leading up to it is already done.”

The WA Cross Country coaching staff, led by Head Coach Scott Hafferkamp, has been a driving force in preparing the Boys’ Cross Country team to a point where they can compete with anyone across Massachusetts.

“Our coaches have done an excellent job at peaking us for the postseason and developing our fitness after summer training,” Bergeron said. “They’re the reason that WA is in the position it is in.”

Now, WA is one meet away from being Cross Country State Champions.

“My goal for the state meet is to put WA in a position to win the overall race,” Bergeron said. “I think we have the talent and chemistry to perform at this high of a level; we just need to execute.”