Just like the regular season, the Wilbraham & Monson Academy Boys Cross Country team didn’t disappoint in the postseason.

In a field of 22 teams, the Titans raced to a second-place finish at the New England Prep School Track Association Division III Cross Country Championships at Canterbury School in New Milford, Connecticut, on Nov. 9.

WMA scored 109 points (added total of the team’s top five runners), just seven points behind Wheeler School and a convincing 26 points ahead of Dexter Southfield. The Titans, which went undefeated during the regular season for the second-straight year, placed fourth at the regional championship in 2023.

David Zhou ’26 (13^th place, 17 minutes, 32 seconds) and Jeff Zeng ’28 (18^th, 17:53) both medaled, placing in the top 20. Kayden Chhoun ’25 (22^nd, 18:02), Bruno Alverez ’26 (26^th, 18:27), Grayson Southwick-Hall ’27 (30^th, 18:40), John Crocker ’25 (37^th, 18:51) and Mark Tobias ’25 (52, 19:20) helped the Academy to the runner-up finish.

Quotes from Coach Danielle Vartabedian

On heading into the championship race: “We finished last year with fourth place, which was podium, but last year having not graduated any of our top runners, and this year getting in new fast talent, we had high hopes of a second- or third-place finish. If we worked hard, first could be in our reach.”

On the race as it unfolded: “When our team started coming through the finish line, I was literally in shock. Their times and places exceeded expectations. We did the stats on the probability of running a (personal record) at champs, and over three seasons and 33 runners, only 13 of them got at PR at the championship race. My guys were all finishing their races with an amazing PR, even the entire JV. We knew after this epic performance that first was a possibility, but it would be close.”

On placing second: “The team ended up clinching second place, only seven points behind Wheeler and (26) points in front of Dexter Southfield. This was a very proud moment for us, as being in the top four is usually (relegated) for the Boston-area schools.”

On the season overall: “We were very proud of our season overall. Even though our undefeated season seemed easy, I had to remind the team that only one school per league can have that distinction and to take pride in that.”