Contributed photo/Rick O’Malley,
The Republican Journal
CUMBERLAND – Corey Park ended his high school cross country career with one shoe and bleeding from the heel. Competitors from Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts lined up at the start of the 73rd annual New England Championship held at Twin Brooks Recreation Area in Cumberland, Maine on Saturday.
Boys’ coach Mike Waugh retold the events. “He was about halfway through the race when someone bumped him from behind. When he moved, the guy spiked his left foot. When Park took his shoe off, he’d sliced his heel open. But to his credit, Park finished the last mile and a half with one shoe in 17:40.”
Despite his injury, Park finished 133rd out of the 265 quickest runners in New England, and kicked to the finish in 17:40.3.
“He’s got an optimistic spirit,” noted Waugh. “He told me he ‘considers it an honor to be here and to run’.”
Park began the crowded meet in good standing, close to Spencer McElwain of Caribou, before the incident.
“It’s a shame competitively because he was poised to go,” said Waugh.
However, Park will recover from his four stitches to trade his sneakers for skis in high school competition.
Donald Cabral of Glastonbury, Conn. looped to the finish first in 15:32.4. Danbury, Conn. had the team victory in the boys’ race.
