In this season of Cross Country, the boys and girls cross country team reached new heights.

For the first time since the 2012-2013 cross country season, both the boys and the girls team made it to “Groups,” the cross country equivalent to “States.”  In terms of competitions, cross country goes from Essex County Championships to Sectionals to Groups.  

Both teams also experienced an influx of new team members this year: the boys and girls both had team membership in the mid teens which represented a significant increase from some prior years.  

The girls cross country team is in North I, Group I of the American Division. The boys are in North I, Group I of the Colonial Division. Both teams have moved up divisions in recent years, and have faced tougher opponents such as Montclair, Millburn, and Mount Saint Dominic (for the girls). They also overcame numerous injuries inclement weather, and more.

The boys team placed fifth at the State Sectional meet, propelling them to race at the well-known Holmdel Park. The girls team placed fourth in this meet, also securing a spot in Groups.

The success of both teams is due to the extensive training over the summer in preparation for the fall season. Girls began practices in early July and the boys started shortly after. These practices were 6 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays and there was the expectation that one would run five to six days a week. Although not mandatory until official practices started in early-mid August, both coaches Gene Leporati and Laura Palmerezzi encouraged runners to come as often as possible. Coach Leporati says often that a good running base is the springboard into a good routine and progression of race times.

The summer training provided not just a running base, but a time for the boys and girls to get to know one another and develop team chemistry.

Senior Emily Petermann says, “We are truly a family, not a team.” Team bonding solidified this feeling, and the teams became not just friends, but a different kind of family- a “running family”

“It was successful making it as far as we did,” says senior Julia Capuano.  She also talked about team chemistry, saying this year’s team was less about less the higher grade levels having dominant power over the team, and more about giving guidance to others.