Cambridge’s Cross Country season is coming to an end, with varsity girls ranked first in the state and varsity boys ranked second in the region.

With regions on Tuesday and state coming up in the next few weeks, head coach Brad Coulter said both teams have been working on specific goals rather than building a base like earlier in the season.

Coulter also said seniors have set a good example of work ethic by encouraging younger runners and mentoring them.

Runners on both squads said their coaches contributed to the team’s success this season.

“Coulter has given us a lot of guidance and checked up on us one on one,” said junior JV runner Deacon Law, adding that the coach pushes his runners to reach their full potential.  

Regions are taking place at Webb Bridge Park this year. With it being a hilly course, runners have focused on fast, intense workouts, and building a highly competitive spirit, said Coulter.  

Law said they “want to race against people, not race against the clock.”

Learning to race as a pack, sticking together and catching up to people on other teams have been priorities as the end of the season nears.

With this being his first year of cross country, junior JV runner Will Carrow said a lot of his high expectations have been met. This speaks to the team’s character and the intense amount of work and effort they put into being the best they can be, as individuals and as a pack.

At the Asics meet, Cambridge made two new school records and 10 personal 5K records.

Senior Jack Filan led the team in the boys’ race, PRing with a time of 15:11 for first place and giving one of the state’s other top runners his first defeat of the season. Coming in third for Cambridge, freshman Lyle Donovan also PRed with a time of 16:29.

Even with the intense heat later that day, the Bears brought home five first-place team trophies and two individual first-place medals.

Their last race was at Coach Wood, which is one of the most competitive of the season.

Despite the intense competition, Filan took first place again, clocking in at 15:16. He’s also been nominated for national runner of the week.

Both girls and boys varsity traveled to regions on Tuesday. With state coming up Nov. 2, Cambridge Cross Country is working harder than ever to prepare as their season comes to a close.