Framingham’s Sam Burgess wins epic showdown in 2-mile
There were whispers before Saturday’s Meet of Champions that the 2-mile would prove to be the marquee race of the day with so many quality distance runners opting to run that one event and not doubling up in the mile.
The deuce more than lived up to its billing at the Reggie Lewis Center. Framingham’s Sam Burgess, who made his kick from home with 400 to go in last week’s Div. 1 meet, this time switched gears with 600 to pull away and defend his title in a blazing time of 8 minutes, 59.27 seconds. It marked the third time Burgess has broken the 9-minute barrier and clearly makes him one of the all-time greats in the state.
Two-time state outdoor 2-mile champion Nathan Lopez of St. John’s Prep had a stellar day with his secondplace finish and personal best of 9:01.32, while Westford Academy junior Paul Bergeron ran a gutsy race for third in a personal best of 9:04.07.
“It was a fun race,” said Burgess, who will run the 2-mile at nationals in two weeks at the TRACK at New Balance. “I wanted to make a move before the last lap. We thought the mile would be super tactical so we wanted to give everyone a fast race. I still feel like I have more in me.”
Bishop Stang’s Jacob Cookinham continued to throw over 65 feet at a consistent rate with a an easy 66 1/4 win in the shot put to defend his title. Cookinham, who will attend the University of Kansas, is looking to improve on his fourth-place finish at nationals.
“I felt good,” he said. “I didn’t connect the way I wanted but I’ll take it. I want to win (nationals) and if I get a personal best, awesome.”
Nataenel Vigo Catala of Haverhill exacted some revenge with an enormously
satisfying win in the 300 for his second personal best in a row 34.37. The junior was third in the Div. 1 300 in a sterling performance that saw the top three break the meet record.
Vigo Catala was out fast and defeated Alex Landry of Acton-Boxboro (34.67) and Newton North’s Myles Scott (34.83).
“Every time I’ve run the 300 my start has been the issue,” he said. “My start was good today and I knew I could win if I had a good start. I love running
against those guys. They really push me. Those are the guys I really try to beat. Every time I race I try to win.”
Arlington’s Rowan McConkey rebounded from a disappointing tie for second in the Div. 2 championships to win the high jump with a leap of 6-4. “My head was clear,” he said. “I wasn’t overthinking. I didn’t think of anything and just let the process guide me. Being a state champion is something I’ve dreamed about since my freshman year.”