The Cumberland High School boys cross-country team competed in the VHSL 1A East Region championship last week and came out with a sixth-place finish.

Along with finishing in the top six, the entire team qualified for the state championship for the first time in school history.

During the region meet, junior Jared Halvorsen finished seventh individually and earned All-Region for the third year in a row.

Junior Matthew Bapties was a front-runner for the Dukes as he finished ninth individually and earned All-Region honors as well.

Sophomore Hunter Cochran finished in the top 50 individually as well.

Other Cumberland team members that will be heading to the state championship meet are Chris Giles, Trevis Trent, Justin Stimpson and Kyle Shuart.

The Lady Dukes cross-country team did not advance to the state meet.

Last season Halvorsen finished seventh individually at the state meet, and was named to the All-State team. That marked a new page in Cumberland High School history as the feat had never been done. Bapties took 41st place individually last year at the state meet.

The duo also qualified for the Footlocker’s South Regional Championships last season after their state meet performances.

This year’s boys cross-country state championship meet will be held on Nov. 13-14 at Great Meadow in The Plains.

Cumberland High School principal Jeff Scales encouraged everyone to wish the team luck at the state meet.