Tabor Boys Cross Country Off to a Fast Start

The Tabor Academy boys cross country team has kicked off their season with an impressive display of athleticism and depth, securing victories in each of their first three meets. With 11 opponents faced and 11 defeated, the team is establishing itself as a powerhouse in the early weeks of competition.

The season opened with the Tabor Invitational, where Senior Captain Ben Hebbel led the team to victory, finishing in first place individually. The boys dominated the competition, defeating all five teams in attendance and placing six runners in the top ten. Alongside Hebbel, Tabor’s top finishers included Jeremy Bullock ’25 (4th), Aidan Pearsall ’26 (6th), Cam Jeppson ’25 (7th), and Amaro Castillo ’28 (9th), showcasing the depth of talent across the squad.

Building on their early success, the team traveled to Brooks School for their second meet, where they again outran the competition. Tabor claimed five of the top eight finishes, with Pearsall leading the way in 1st place, followed closely by Hebbel in 2nd, Bullock in 5th, Nick Huaco ’25 in 6th, and Jeppson in 8th. Their strong performance ensured victories over Belmont Hill, Lawrence Academy, and the host Brooks School.

This past weekend, Tabor faced off against Governor’s Academy in a meet that also featured teams from Groton School and Milton Academy. In another dominant showing, the boys secured five of the top six places, with Pearsall, Hebbel, Castillo, Huaco, and Bullock rounding out the team’s leading runners. The team’s pack mentality and consistency continue to serve them well as they work towards their long-term goals for the season.

Coach Chris Adams is encouraged by the progress the team has made since last year, particularly in terms of depth. “The season is off to a great start for the boys with 11 wins and no losses in the first three weeks,” Adams said. “Last year, we had a solid top four or five, but we lacked depth. This year, we have seven or eight guys who could all potentially place in the top five on any given day.”

The coach attributes the team’s success to their ability to run as a cohesive pack and maintain a rigorous training regimen, even on race days. “They’ve been able to train through meets and run as a pack,” Adams explained. “After our races, our top five to seven runners still put in an additional 7-9 miles. We’re focused on building towards the ISL and New England Championships in November.”

The road ahead, however, presents some challenges. This weekend, the boys will host Middlesex School, Roxbury Latin School, and Thayer Academy at Washburn Park. Roxbury Latin, last year’s New England champions, is expected to provide Tabor’s toughest competition yet. Despite the challenge, Adams remains confident. “We hope for another win, but our goal is to capture both the ISL and New England titles this fall,” he said. “After that, we’re looking ahead to a strong showing at the Footlocker Northeast Championship the weekend after Thanksgiving.”

With every runner from last year’s team returning, and with newfound depth, the Tabor boys team is poised for a successful season as they aim to improve on their 4th place ISL and 2nd place New England finishes from 2023.