Griffith wins Northeast XC Regional
NEW YORK, N.Y. — Weather conditions were ideal. So was Drew Griffith’s performance.
The Butler junior completed the 5,000-meter Van Cortland Park cross country course in 15 minutes, 20.9 seconds Saturday in The Bronx, winning the Champs XC Northeast Regional. Griffith became the first Golden Tornado runner to even advance to the Champs National Championship race Dec. 10 in San Diego, let alone win the regional.
“Drew broke new ground this weekend, absolutely,” Butler cross country coach Rick Davanzati said.
He did so in rather exciting fashion, coming from behind to nip Sam Burgess of Massachusetts by 4/10th’s of a second. The race was run under sunny skies with the temperature at 52 degrees.
“The weather conditions were perfect,” Griffith said. “I couldn’t have asked for better. I saw I had a chance at catching (Burgess) in the last 60 meters or so. When you see the opportunity right in front of you and there’s only a few meters left ... just go get it.
“Of all the races I’ve ever run, this is the biggest one, for sure.”
Griffith described the course as challenging, but he had run it before. He joined then-Butler senior C.J. Singleton in the Northeast Regional race last year, but did not get a chance to do a run-through before race day.
This time, he arrived in New York on Thursday.
“I was able to take a practice run on the course Friday, which helped,” Griffith said. “The first mile runs pretty flat, then there’s some hills before you get into the woods.
“Once you’re in the woods, it’s almost like there’s obstacles you have to get around. It was nice to know that before the actual race.”
Butler track coach Mike Seybert said Singleton figured Griffith had a stellar distance running career in front of him.
“C.J. told me last year, ‘why bother breaking (Butler) cross country records when Drew’s just gonna break them right away anyway,’” Seybert said. “Running with a great runner like C.J. had a big impact on Drew. It pushed him right away and now he’s pushing himself.
“He’s just so focused. He has a tremendous work ethic and he sticks to it ... great student and a really good kid.”
The only race Griffith has lost all year was the PIAA Championship, when Brian DiCola of Hatboro Horsham edged him out by a few seconds.
DiCola placed fifth at the Northeast Regional, running a time of 15:33.5,
“This win does give Drew a bit of vindication there,” Davanzati said. “He felt like he should have won the state meet. He began setting his sights on this regional the day after that meet, then went out and did it.”
The top 10 runners from each of four regionals qualified for the national championship race. Griffith’s trip to San Diego is paid for by the event and he will be part of the Northeast team.
“We’re getting team shirts to wear and all kinds of gear,” Griffith said. “I’m excited about this. It’s another challenge and I’ll be ready.”
The top 20 finishers in the Northeast Regional represented seven different states.
“He beat the best of the best,” Seybert said of Griffith.
Griffith’s winning time was the 17th fastest of any high school runner in the 43-year history of the event.
“It’s hard to believe he’s only a junior ... but he’s one of the best juniors in the country,” Davanzati said.
