Fitchburg, MA

The Nauset boys 4x800 meter relay team continued their hot streak with a sixth place finish and new school record time of 8:03.78 last night at the MIAA All-State Championships at Fitchburg State University.  The Warriors claimed the final qualifying spot for the New England High School Track and Field Championships to be held this Saturday, June 9 at Thorton Academy in Saco, Maine.  The time of 8:03.78 also greatly improves upon the team's national qualifying mark as they inch closer to the eight minute barrier in their preparation for the New Balance High School National Track and Field Championships next weekend in Greensboro, NC.  

After some early jostling and tough tactics in the race during senior Jake Moore's opening leg, the Warriors found themselves in less than favorable position.  Andrew Burke, a sophomore, kept the team in contention, but still well out of a qualifying spot as eventual champion Pembroke HS began to run away with the State Title.  Burke handed off to senior Jake Meredith who set out on a blazing pace, completely determined to reverse Nauset's fortunes with a gutsy first lap of just over 55 seconds.  Meredith continued to pass his competitors throughout his final lap, rallying back into 7th place with a phenomenal split of 1:55.6.  With a trip to Maine and a new school record hanging in the balance, senior Andrew Herwig set out on his anchor leg and moved into 6th place almost immediately.  With just over 200 meters to go, Herwig found himself in a group of 4 other runners all vying for the 6th and final qualifying spot.  He burst free of the pack on the last straightaway of the race, fighting off a runner from Lexington all the way to the line before dipping to beat his competitor by .03 seconds and completing the incredible comeback mounted by Meredith and himself.  

With just over a week remaining in the season, the Warriors will now prepare for what will undoubtedly be the two biggest races of the year: the New England and National Championships.  

Full Meet Results: http://www.coolrunning.com/results/12/ma/Jun5_MIAAAl_set2.shtml