By Avonlea Cummings
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
The sun cast its warm glow upon Westwood athletes on Thursday, September 14th, illuminating the trails for the cross-country boys' varsity team as they went head-to-head against their hosts, Medfield High. After several weeks of preseason preparation, the boys were ready to embark on the familiar race for the 2023-2024 season. Their dedicated efforts paid off handsomely as they clinched a victory at McCarthy Park with a final score of 20-35.
Head Coach Ed Lyons has been at the helm of the Westwood boys' varsity team since the fall season of 2011. Throughout his coaching tenure, he has placed great emphasis on fostering a positive team atmosphere, recognizing its pivotal role in the team's success.
“I’ve been coaching for several years and the one thing I always emphasize is a positive team culture. I think it is important in every sport. The seniors have really embodied this, they have been on the team for four years and understand what I expect from them. Even more so, I want them to lead by example and they are doing a tremendous job of doing so,” Lyons remarked.
The team has reaped the rewards of this encouraging environment, evident in their second-place finish in the Tri-Valley League and numerous other achievements during the 2022-2023 season. Lyons and the boys are determined to surpass last year's performance and are off to a strong start. The Warriors capitalized on their strengths during the meet with Medfield, with Ben Methot emerging victorious in his 2.9-mile race, clocking an impressive time of 16:48. Greydon Gavin secured second place with a time of 16:56, closely followed by Colin Greally in third place with a time of 17:07, showcasing their exceptional talent.
From the cherished twilight time trial tradition to their dedicated daily practices and unwavering support for one another, it is evident that Lyons and his team are poised for a successful season ahead. Don't miss the opportunity to witness their achievements this season; you can access their schedule at https://www.arbiterlive.com/Teams/Schedule/8527518.
