The cross country runners left the starting line this year looking to match its run of recent success. The girls came back as champions this year by winning counties as well as states in group four, but that’s not all they accomplished. Last season marked the fourth year in the last five that they were champions in the group four division.

“It was a great feeling because it is something that has never been done before by any other girls school,” coach Richard Refi said.

While the girls were doing great, the boys on the other hand were not as impressive but still had an accomplishment of their own. Front-runner Brandon Tubby made it all the way to the meet of champions which made his breakout year a true success.

“He placed in the top 20 runners in the state of New Jersey,” coach Eric Rosenthal said. “Without this, we would have never qualified which makes it a big accomplishment.”

Currently, Tubby just broke his personal best time of 16:17 in a 5k with his new time of 15:57. This is considered by many to be the icing on the cake for the perfect cross country career. On the girls side, they are trying to ride on last year’s successful aspects of the team by relying on top runners Paige Novak, Kelly Cianciola, Chloe Wong, Olivia Delorenzo and Stephanie Mauer. Specifically, Mauer and Novak who both finished No. 7 and No. 13 in the state last year, respectively.

“They bring a lot of talent and both of them have a really good work ethic,” Refi said.

One would have to have a really good work ethic in order to keep up with the constant demands of the rigorous sport. For example, the runners typically have to practice six days a week for an hour or two hours in order to meet the objective of the current team goals. Speaking of goals, the boys team seems to be pushing one particular saying.

“Train together, race together,” Rosenthal said. “With a very young squad, I am asking that the younger runners train with the older athletes to help close up the gap and have our top 7 all run as a pack.”

This strategy is just what the team needed to reach and stay atop the pack. The girls’ strategy is less complicated–it was simply to finish as county champions, a feat they achieved again this season. The boys’ strategy led them to 5th place in sectionals. They move onto group four next week and will look to add to a crowded trophy room here at the home of the Raiders.