For Immediate Release

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

King Philip Junior Earns All-American Honors at New Balance Outdoor Nationals

WRENTHAM — Superintendent Paul Zinni is pleased to share that a King Philip Regional High School junior is the first in the district to earn All-American honors.

Mike Griffin finished 2nd overall in the 2,000-meter steeplechase at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals on Sunday, June 16 at Aggie Stadium in Greensboro, North Carolina. He also ran a school-record time of five minutes and 57.19 seconds in the event, which was a personal record for Griffin by nine seconds.

The top six competitors in each event were given All-American honors at the competition. Thousands of student-athletes from across the United States and Canada participated in the nationals event.

Griffin qualified to participate in the national competition after running a six minute, six second qualifying time during the 2,000-meter steeplechase at the Weston Twilight meet on May 4 at Weston High School in Weston. Griffin also currently holds King Philip’s school record time for the indoor track one mile race, with a time of four minutes and 14.72 seconds. 

“Mike is a standout athlete, and he works hard to continue to improve himself in competitions,” said Scott Kramer, coach of the King Philip Boy’s indoor and outdoor track and field teams. “It’s been exciting to see him excel individually and in team competitions, as well.”

Griffin was joined by King Philip students Mike Norberg, a junior; Jovan Joseph, a sophomore; and Eric DeLorenzo, a junior, at the competition. The four students formed the “TriTown Track Club” team in order to participate in the nationals competition, which does not allow students to compete as part of a school track team.

Together, the four students placed 17th as a foursome in the distance medley competition with a time of 10 minutes and 41.67 seconds.

“Competing at this level takes an incredible amount of time and dedication,” Superintendent Zinni said. “Congratulations to these four young athletes, and well done. It’s wonderful to see our students continue to challenge themselves to do their best in these competitions.”

Superintendent Zinni also wishes to recognize the efforts of Coach Kramer, cross country Coach Chris Elgar and long distance track Coach Lauren Farkash to help their student athletes grow and challenge themselves.

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