On Cross Country
Dave Dyer
The season is still fairly young, but 27th-year Pinkerton coach Mike Clark already has enjoyed several memorable moments.
The energetic coach was in seventh heaven when Pinkerton won both the Mt. Washington Invitational and Souhegan Relays on the same day, for example. Rolling to the freshman and JV titles while the varsity finished fourth in the elite division at the Manchester Invitational had him searching for new superlatives.
Yet, one of Clark's most satisfying moments came before the season even started when senior Andrew Sears not only made the team but became a significant contributor.
It was a long time coming. For Clark, it reflected what his program is all about: preparation for success, teamwork, strength in numbers and camaraderie.
Clark is one of the few cross country coaches around who believe in "making" a team, and he sets up qualifying standards to that end. On Pinkerton's 3.1-mile course, freshmen must crack 22 minutes, sophomores should hit 21 minutes, juniors need to break 20 minutes and seniors must get under 19 minutes.
"I think it means more when you really earn it," said Clark. "A lot of cross country teams are more like running clubs — anyone can join. I don't believe in that."
Thus, Sears — who has been running track at Pinkerton for three years — was not a member of the "Long Red Line," as Clark likes to refer to his cross country runners. He failed to make the cut as both a sophomore and junior.
"I missed it by 20 seconds both years," said the Chester resident, whose brother Jonathan was on the team as a senior last year. "I was disappointed in myself because I felt I could have made it if I had worked harder.
"I really wanted to be on the team, especially last year. It seems like a good team to be part of. It's really close and they do a lot of things together."
Two failures weren't enough to deter Sears from giving it a final try this year, however, and he made sure he was better prepared for the time trial.
"I definitely ran more this summer than the last two years combined," said Sears, who in late June was part of a 12-person Pinkerton team at the 200-mile Green Mountain Relay. "It might not have been as much as some of the other guys, but I was consistently doing five miles a day. I knew I could make it."
Sears' confidence was well founded as he ran an 18:03. Then, as if to show that was no fluke, he ran a stunning 16:55 in the alumni meet, the week before the regular season.
"It was just wonderful to see," said Clark. "That he made it so easily just flabbergasted me. When he ran that time in the alumni meet, it was jaw-breaking.
"When he did make it, he gave me a big hug and said 'I can finally call you coach now.'"
Said Sears: "I was definitely excited I finally made it, and I love being on the team. Because of my brother, I was around the guys before, but now they're all my best friends. It's a great group to be around and I just love the sport, the way you work together and can see your improvement."
Sears wasn't just content to make the team, however. He wanted to be a varsity contributor. He's done that, staying in the team's top seven. On the "Long Red Line," that's an accomplishment.
"You have to work at it," said Sears. "After our first two or three guys, there's so much competition between the fourth through 11th guy, All the times are within 30 seconds."
Indeed, when Sears was the sixth varsity man at the Manchester Elite meet, four finishers in the JV meet had virtually the same time.
"I just want to keep improving and stay in the top seven," said Sears.
That will be a challenge, but Sears has already shown he can meet and overcome a challenge, much to Clark's delight.
"When Andrew made the team, that was one of the most rewarding moments I've had as a coach," said Clark.
Hats off to Lawrence
Congratulations to improving Lawrence and No. 1 runner Adderly Gonzalez. The Lancers have been competitive this fall and recently defeated Tewksbury for their first MVC win in eight years. In that meet, which was part of a tri-meet at Methuen, Gonzalez came in second overall. An MVC champ indoors in the 1,000 last year, Gonzalez has made a quick transition to cross country.
Big meets coming up
A big MVC boys meet is on tap Wednesday at the reservoir in Lawrence as Central Catholic entertains Chelmsford and Methuen. The Lions handed Methuen its only regular season loss last year, by one point. This will be followed a week later by Methuen at vastly improved Lowell.
The key Cape Ann League boys meet is scheduled for Oct. 21, when North Andover travels to Masconomet in a battle of unbeatens.
Knights get no respect
In the Eastern Mass. Division 2 boys rankings last week, unbeaten North Andover isn't even listed in the top 10, even though Hamilton-Wenham, which was beaten handily (21-38) by the Knights, is ranked sixth.
In Division 1 boys, Methuen is ranked eighth while Haverhill's girls are ranked third in Division 1, trailing Lincoln-Sudbury and Newton South.
L-S edged Newton South 26-29 in a dual meet last week in which the top 10 runners came in within 10 seconds.
