What’s been a tradition for Barrington High the last several years in the fall is a trip to Martha’s Vineyard for the school’s annual Vineyard X-C Invitational.
What’s also been a tradition lately for the boys’ squad when they board the ferry for the ride home?
A victory in hand.
For the third straight year, the Eagles earned the hardware in the varsity competition. But unlike the previous two where more than 45 points separated them from the second-place team, this one was a little closer.
Actually, a lot closer.
Barrington left Saturday’s meet with a five-point decision over Catholic Memorial, scoring a winning 57 points. Saint Raphael Academy with third with 121 points. The Eagles’ Myles Napolitano, a victor at last week’s Injury Fund Carnival, led the way for the Blue & Yellow. The talented senior placed second among the 124 finishers with a time of 16 minutes, 24.35 seconds for the five-kilometer course. He was followed by senior Connor Curran (fourth, 16:40.29). senior Daniel Chun (13th, 17:02.06), sophomore Colby Napolitano (20th, 17:44.36) and senior Fritz Muehlbauer (21st, 17:45.71).
Barrington depth was on display at the 17th annual event. In addition to its win in the featured race, the Eagles scored the minimum 15 points to claim the JV crown, too. Whitinsville Christian (MA) was a distant second with 67 points.
The Eagles’ Neal Bansal, a junior, was the first to cross the line, registering a time of 17:35.34 for the moderately-challenging 5K. Rounding out the scorers were junior Henry Humphreys (second, 17:44.08). senior Marius Bonard (third, 17:51.50). junior Vlad Horvatic (fourth, 17:51.50), junior Sam Spencer (fifth, 18:21.94).
Bansal took a patient approach in the race.
“I started out in the race not quite in the front. I was in the top 10 pack and started to work my way and made it to it being the top five boys just being Barrington,” he said. “I made it to a mile and a half I pushed forward with (one of my teammates) and just held it.”
On the girls’ side, Barrington took the silver with 72 points. Amherst Pelham captured the team title with 56 points.
Sophomore Evelyn Lefort was the top finisher for the Eagles, placing fifth overall with a time of 19:30.42. Senior teammate Sarah Chang was 12th overall in 20:44.46. St. Ray’s, which was sixth in the team standings, had an 8-9 finish from sophomore Mackenzie Lickert (20:10.22) and senior Faith Perry (20:19.14).
Barrington’s Leyla Bac was the top RI finisher in the girls’ JV race, placing seventh overall in 23:20.42. Teammate Allie Ford was ninth at 23:36.67. The Eagles were second as a team with 71 points.
In then frosh race, Barrington’s Scarlett Wasinowicz was seventh with a time of 12:39.33 for the 3K course.
