In recent years, the Wilbraham & Monson Academy Girls' Cross Country team has produced a handful of exceptional runners, namely Adriana Russell '15 and Marissa Small-Towns '14.
Add A.J. Washington '19 to that list.
Like she has done all season, A.J. ran a brilliant race Nov. 11, placing eighth in a field of 157 runners in a 5K time of 20 minutes, 21 minutes, at the New England Prep School Track Association's New England Division III Cross Country Championships at Weston High School in Massachusetts.
"I was really happy to come in eighth place," A.J. said. "This has been a very successful cross country season for me, my first at WMA. I moved on to the all-star race so I was proud."
A.J. will join the other top prep runners in region at the New England All-Star Meet Nov. 18 at St. Mark's School in Southboro, Massachusetts.
A.J. has had a remarkable 2017 season. Along with a number of high finishes at invitationals, she won four dual meets during the regular season. Her performance at the Division III meet added to her long list of accomplishments in her first year of running for the Titans.
"A.J. had another great race on Saturday," WMA Coach Liz MacLauchlan said. "She powered through extreme cold to finish eighth in a field of more than 150 runners. She had a season personal-record of 20:21 and is only looking faster and more ready for next Saturday. I am so excited to get another week coaching and racing A.J."
And A.J. earned that extra week, staying in the top 20 for the entire 5K to secure a spot at the all-star competition. She moved into the top 10 in the first mile and stayed there through the finish line.
"We raced some of the teams during the season," A.J. explained. "I made sure I ran with people I raced against before. When we raced Kingswood Oxford, I beat their top girl, but I haven't been able to beat her the last two races so I made sure I was with her the whole race. She beat me by one place but I was with her. I knew she was going to be around my time and I wanted to stay in the top 10.
"I felt comfortable, but I think I felt too comfortable. After the race I thought I could have pushed it a little more but I was good with the outcome."