By Jon Gulliver
Staff writer
CARIBOU — Hard work is paying off for the Caribou Viking boys cross country team, with a second consecutive trip to the New England Cross Country Championships to be held this Saturday in North Sciuate, R.I.
The Vikings finished in third place in the state championship in Class B. They also finished fourth in all classes earning the trip to the New England meet.
Aroostook Republican photo/Jon Gulliver
Some members of the Caribou Viking cross country team, from left, Caleb Chapman, Jesse Sandstrom, Ron Lund (with ball) and Lucas Kinney, get in a run on Monday in preparation for the New England Cross Country Championships this weekend in Rhode Island.
Coach Roy Alden said many of his runners have logged 40 to 50 miles a week for 18 to 20 weeks.
“They have worked extremely hard since last June and the hard work has paid off,” said Alden.
Senior Ron Lund, who finished 10th at the state meet, agreed with his coach.
“It takes a lot of determination, perseverance and hard work”, said Lund. “It takes a lot of training, trust in our coach and the workouts he gives us.”
Much of the Vikings’ success can be attributed to teamwork.
“We have had to come together as a group and race together as a team, Lund added. “No single person could accomplish what we did as a team.”
Jesse Sandstrom, who is also a senior, agreed.
“When you are in a race and you look ahead and see one of your teammates and say that’s my teammate and I am going to run hard for him and all of my other teammates,” said Lund.
Coach Alden said the team is a very determined group of athletes who have grown closer throughout the season.
“They have risen to every challenge to be the best they can be,” said Alden.
The trip to the New England meet is the icing on the cake for the team’s seniors like Caleb Chapman.
“It’s pretty special,” said Chapman. “Last year there were quite a few seniors on the team and this year I have had a chance to lead since I am a senior. It has been a good experience and I have learned a lot.”
He added, “we had high expectations when we started the year because we won States last year, but we had our work cut out for us since we lost a lot of seniors from last year.”
Sandstrom, who also raced in the New England meet last year, said he learned a lot from his past experience.
“Not to get discouraged”, he said. “There is a lot of pushing, stuff you don’t see up here. It’s a lot of people for one race.”
The Caribou boys are the only team from the region to gain a spot in the New England meet, but three additional runners qualified as individuals. Mackenzie Belyea of Caribou, Carsyn Koch of Washburn and Matt Eager of Presque Isle finished in the top 25 at the state meet to be eligible for the New England Championships.
