MacVarish making his mark at college

October 6, 2013

By Marvin Pave, Globe Correspondent

Braintree’s James MacVarish, a cross-country runner at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, has been the Buccaneers’ top performer in each of their first four races while earning a pair of Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week honors.

The latest came after a 10th-place individual finish (28:48 over the 8K course) Sept. 28 at the Elms Blazer Invitational.

“It’s not very often that a freshman athlete will perform like a veteran in their first collegiate competition, but that was certainly the case with James,” said Mass. Maritime head coach Chris Ryan. “He thrives on competition and simply does not want to be beaten, and you can’t coach that kind of intensity.’’

MacVarish was a four-year letter winner and cross-country captain at Norfolk County Agricultural High School.