The Cross Country team embarked on a four-day trip to the Great American XC Festival on Thursday, October 1st. The competition in Cary, NC is arguably the most prestigious in the country beside Nationals. For the first time in a while, the team would be competing outside of New York State. Rather than doing McQuaid again, Coach Tonge wanted to get this rising team a chance to compete on a bigger stage. Going into the meet, the team ranked #4 in WNY Small Schools and #11 in NYS Class D. This is the 1st time the team has been ranked in the state in the 21st century.
Friday was a busy day with team meals, practice, and games. Seven video games, two game consoles, and three large table games kept the guys competitive through the weekend.
On Saturday, Senior Paddy Hart (the U.S. #50 runner and NYS #3) ran a personal best of 15:20 in the Race of Champions, and finished 23rd in a field of 340 elite individuals & teams.
The remainder of the squad competed in the Varsity Red race, and placed 37th in another large field of 357 runners. Juniors Brett Jakuminiak and Trent Hassett led the squad, with Trent running a personal best of 17:57. Seniors Jack Marren & Walter Ponce, along with Sophomore Cayden Bracero, filled out the squad on a tough course that left no prisoners.
After the race, the boys completed the weekend with some team bonding, more games and dinner from Coach Cullen’s favorite restaurant - Cook Out.
League meets are Wednesday, October 21st & 28th, with the All-Catholics Championship on November 7th. Paddy Hart is the two-time reigning champion. Please come out and cheer on the boys as they push for the title. The schedule can be found on the Timon Athletics webpage.
Numbers from that weekend:
Race of Champions (340 total)
Paddy 15:20.6 PR (23rd)
(Splits: 1mile-4:41, 2mile-9:54)
9th out of the 48 Elite individuals selected for the race.
Varsity Red Race (357 total)
TEAM 37/40
Brett 17:05.6 (64th)
(Splits: 1mile-5:16, 2mile-11:06)
Trent 17:57.9 (128th) PR
(Splits: 1mile-5:27, 2mile-11:38)
Jack 20:12.8 (280)
(Splits: 1mile-5:55, 2mile-12:49)
Walter 20:21:17.7 (314th)
(Splits: 1mile-6:27, 2mile-14:01)
Cayden 22:08.3 (332nd)
(Splits: 1mile-6:32, 2mile-14:02)
Padraig McGuire' 27