What a finish! Quinton overtakes leader to win first HS race
Posted on 09/11/2020
Mason Quinton(SPS) - Keep the pace and stay steady.

That was junior Mason Quinton's strategy as he headed into the boys 5k race during the Booker T. Washington Cross Country Invitational at O'Brien Park in Tulsa on Thursday.

From the opening gun, Mason and twin brother Evan moved into the lead pack where they stayed throughout the race.

"Some people took off a little fast and wanted other people to go with 'em and then they slowly started to fall back," said Mason.

About midway through the race while still in the lead pack, Mason fell into the fourth position not far off the lead runner, but he had his competition right where he wanted them.

"I was really determined. I haven't gotten a win so far in my entire career in a high school race so I really wanted it today."

And you could tell he really wanted it on the final stretch. The lead runner took the turn for the finish line with Mason right on his heels. Within a matter of a few strides, Mason pulled ahead and could feel the win was close. As he put distance between him and his closest competitor he yelled, "let's go" and picked up speed toward the checkered flags.

"It was a good finish. We were both trying to fight for the first place position and it just came down to who wanted it more."

Mason crossed the line first in a time of 16:42, just one second off of his PR of 16:41. Evan came in at 16:49 and finished in the fourth position.

Official results of the BTW meet can be found here.



See the schedule for the Sapulpa Cross Country team here.