At the biggest track meet of the season, Wilbraham & Monson Academy's Basem Hernandez '19 pulled off a rare worst to first.
After coming in last in 2017, Basem took the lead with 200 meters to go and easily won the 800 at the New England Prep School Track Association Division III Championship at The Hyde School in Maine.
"Before the race started, the coaches got together and discussed how he should run the race as it was his third event of the day," Coach Tom Iannacone explained. "We decided that he should sit back and hold off during the first lap, and then on the second lap make a move to win. The pack went through the first lap at a slow pace and Basem made a move with 300 meters to take the lead. Another runner came up to his shoulder and passed him with a 200 to go and then Basem went again. He sped past him and held the lead during that last 200 and won the race.
"Basem has been consistent all season in this race and showed a lot of resiliency and poise under pressure. He was calm and worked the race to his strategy. I was very impressed with his hard work all season."
Basem comfortably won by more than two seconds, covering the two laps in two minutes, 2.46 seconds. While happy with the win, he was hoping to crack the two-minute mark, especially after running 2:01 a number of times this season.
"After I overtook the leader, I didn't hear him so at that point I thought I was going to win. So after I crossed, I was thinking about my time," Basem admitted. "I could see the clock while I was running (toward the finish line). I looked at the clock. I saw 1:54, 1:55 and knew I wasn't going to get it."
Although he didn't run the time he wanted, Basem used his greatest asset to earn his first championship meet win.
"I've always had pride in my speed because, yes, a distance runner can hold pace better than I can, but if I'm close and it's a sprint, you can forget about that lead," he said.
Basem added he was already looking forward to next season.