By Ken Hamwey

Staff Sports Writer

The boys cross-country team at Natick High has had a memorable season.

Coach Matt Miller’s squad finished the regular season undefeated at 9-0, the first time his forces have gone unbeaten in his 14 years at the helm. That unblemished record enabled Natick to not only capture the Carey Division title, but also to wear the Bay State Conference crown as the best regular-season team.

One of its nine victories carried lots of significance — a 27-28 triumph over Brookline handed the Warriors their first loss in three years. And, for the Redhawks, it was their first win over Brookline in 25 years. An elite team, Brookline has won the BSC Championship Meet and the Meet of Champions for the last four years.

The Redhawks success extended into the post-season where they finished second in the BSC Championship Meet, the State’s Division 1B Meet, and the Meet of Champions.

Natick will close out its post-season schedule at the Nike Regional in New York, which is slated to take place after Local Town Pages deadline.

At the BSC Meet at the Wrentham Development Center, Natick’s John Bianchi finished first in a time of 15:26.3, finishing 10 seconds ahead of Brookline’s Liam Hartman. However, Brookline won the meet with 34 points and the Redhawks were second with 46. Wellesley, Walpole, and Weymouth finished 2-5, respectively.

“John is a very determined runner,’’ Miller said. “He used his experience from last year’s meet to help him this time. He surged with 800 meters to go, executing his plan to. At the finish, the race wasn’t close.’’

The last Natick runner to win the BSC Championship Meet was Bianchi’s father Jamey in 1993.

Natick had another good outcome at the Division 1B meet. Bianchi finished first and the Redhawks were second behind Concord-Carlisle, which registered 44 points. Natick had 70 and Arlington was third with 133 points.

Bianchi’s time was 15:51 over the Wrentham Development Center course and teammate Declan Hava, who finished third, posted a time of 16:01.

“Finishing second was a bit disappointing but the boys competed well’’ Miller said. “Our goal was to finish first.’’

At the Meet of Champions at Devens, Brookline finished first (67 points), Natick was second with 87 points and Concord-Carlisle was a distant third with 137 points. Bianchi was second, finishing a quarter of a second behind Oliver Ames’ Landon Sarney, who posted a time of 15:33.28. Bianchi’s time was 15:33.54

“John was great, running the race according to plan,’’ Miller said. “But Sarney was amazing, running the best race of his life. For us, Callum Doyle finished 13th and Freddie van der Velden placed 14th.’’

Miller liked the way his forces competed. “We knew we had a good chance to be second but we also believed we could win the title,’’ he said. “Our runners were focused and they provided a superb effort, facing the best competition in the state. The experience we gained this season helped prepare us to do well in the Meet of Champions. We beat Concord-Carlisle by a decisive margin.

Milller got high caliber results this season and linked the Redhawks’ emergence last year as a major key to elevating his current squad.

“This year’s team has achieved a level of maturity and experience that helped them to train and race at a higher level,’’ Miller said. “They learned a lot last year, sort of cut their teeth performing at the highest level in the state and had their best team results.’’

Last year, Natick had a 7-2 dual-meet record, was second in the Bay State Conference Championship, second in the Division IB State Championship, fifth in the Meet of Champions and tenth in the Nike Cross Country Northeast Regional Championship.

Miller credits his squad’s commitment to summer training for this fall’s success. “Their training was very focused with about 10-12 runners having met their summer training goals and thus being very prepared for this season and our pursuit of a state championship.’’

Miller and his contingent knew they could contend in post-season meets.

“Our ultimate goal after pre-season practice was to win the Meet of Champions,’’ he emphasized. “And, that meant we’d also strive to win the BSC Championship Meet and the Division 1B Meet. Our regular-season victory over Brookline gave us confidence and the boys realized the level of achievement that represented.’’

The Redhawks’ team strengths are definitely linked to this year’s success.

“We’ve got competitors with a high running IQ, they’re well-skilled, coachable and promote team chemistry,’’ Miller said. “We’re also experienced, have depth and rely on speed and endurance. And, our senior leadership is excellent.’’

The five senior captains not only personify leadership, but they also have led in a variety of ways. They include Bianchi, van der Velden, Nick Downey, Elijah Pereira and Kenny Chiu.

“John and Freddie have always been good leaders and were among our top five runners last year,’’ Miller said. “Nick, Elijah, and Kenny have really stepped up this season, providing incredible leadership towards younger runners and also helping our coaching staff make each complex training day work efficiently. They keep everyone moving to the right place within the daily training schedule. I’ve been impressed with their work every day.’’

Bianchi, the Redhawks’ No. 1 runner, had a top-notch season last year and he’s on his way to surpassing his 2024 efforts. Last year he finished second in both the Bay State Conference Championship and the Division 1B State Championship. He was eighth in the

Meet of Champions and 34th in the Nike Cross Country N.E. Regional.

“John, who will run for Boston College next year, is a fierce competitor who pushes through pain and fatigue,’’ Miller said. “An intelligent runner, he’s got great endurance and speed. A terrific leader, he’s humble and has humility. He’s appreciative of his achievements.’’

Van der Velden, Natick’s No. 3 runner, leads by example and by being communicative and supportive. “Freddie is another intelligent runner who’s consistent in terms of speed and endurance,’’ Miller noted.

Miller likes the way Downey, Pereira and Chiu take the initiative to conduct themselves “like the team’s big brothers.’’

“Nick is very fast and he should get great results in indoor and outdoor track,’’ Miller emphasized. “Elijah is very kind, has a big-heart personality and is a gritty competitor. And, Kenny is dedicated to improving his running ability.’’

Three juniors round out the Redhawks’ top five runners: Doyle (2), Hava (4) and Ben Gidelson (5).

“Callum is quiet, strong and mentally and physically tough,’’ Miller said. “He gets the most out of every moment. “Declan is very coachable and he appreciates his position on the team and his individual success. He’s a very strong and tough competitor. Ben is committed to excellence. He’s our most improved runner during the last two years and he’s solidified his No. 5 position.’’

Bianchi, Doyle, van der Velden, Hava, and Gidelson were chosen as Bay State Conference all-stars this season. Plus, Bianchi was the conference MVP.

Miller’s staff is comprised of Dylan Jones, who ran at Natick and Tufts; Kristen Wells, Natick High math teacher and former swim coach who swam at Holy Cross; and her husband, Russell Wells, who ran at UMass-Amherst and Boston College.  

The 60-year-old Miller has taught social studies at Natick High for 23 years and has coached the Redhawks’ indoor and outdoor track teams for 15 years.

Miller’s athletic philosophy focuses on reaching one’s potential and having fun in competitive settings. “If those things occur, then winning will be the by-product,’’ he said. “I have a TLW approach. That stands for trying your best; learning from what you’ve accomplished; and winning by achieving your goals.’’

The NHS boys cross-country team definitely has competed in TLW fashion and its results have been dynamic.