Run that Extra Mile

The 2009 Cross Country Team

Exercise is what our school’s cross country track team is all about. On the field, 18 students gathered together to work together to do their stretches, workouts, and warm-downs.

It was 4:00 p.m on a sunny Tuesday, when these team members listened to Coach Anthony Constentino.

“Never stop running no matter how tired you get because, if you stop you’re only cheating yourselves,” he said.

Trust, a big part of the team, became clear as everyone poured from the football field to go run.

“I really hope they don’t get lost,” joked Coach Costentino. “I really hope that the team can learn discipline, group bonding, appreciation for each other, and most of all to see their own bodies changing in positive ways.”

Talking seems to keep coach occupied until his team arrives back from their 25 minute run.

One member arrives injured and the security guard calls Physical Education director Mr. Dennis Barrett to bring out some ice.

“Gather up everybody,” shouted the coach before he explained that their first track meet would be at Clove Lakes Park, Tuesday September 22nd. The runners looked nervous, but it was clear that they all wanted to give it a try.

Tuesday, the day of the game, arrived, and it was time to run three miles in the woods.

“On your mark, get set, GO,” shouted the man with the gun. Runners immediately crossed the field and sprinted into the woods, intensity and determination on every face.

“Go, go, go, go, go!” cheered a girl from the side. The air was filled with people cheering on their teammates.

About twenty minutes later, lead runners arrived.

“Sprint the rest of the race,” yelled the coaches.

One after another, people came charging to the finish line to complete the race. The runner’s gathered up with the rest of their team mates to do a half mile warm-down.

“That race was brutal,” said a runner from Tottenville High School.

Beet- red faces, dripping with sweat and the sounds of gulping echoed throughout the park.

“It’s pretty amazing how we have only been training for a week and we still beat teams who have been training all summer,” said junior Shivanna Duncan.

Top runners in both meets were Natalie Brown who placed 8th and 6th respectively, Diamond Rodrigeuz who placed 7th and 9th respectively , Abigail Camejo who placed 9th in the second meet and Angela Guarino who placed 10th in the second meet.

“I feel that our team mates were ready for this race, and we’re going to show the world where we come from, CSI,” said sophomore Andrew Casale.

PSAL Cross Country track meets take place every Tuesday at Clove Lakes Park.

The new PSAL track team has come together as a competitve community dedicated to work hard and face runners of all abilities.

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