BY GABY MALANGA
Sports Copy Editor
The cross-country team raced strong individual efforts this season. Victoria Botte, Carly Cutrone and Josh Santiago hit personal records and achieved huge accomplishments along the way.
Sophomore Victoria Botte had an outstanding season, finishing as the top sophomore and taking fifth overall at the GMC Championships on October 23rd. “When I was crossing that finish line, I felt great,” exclaimed Botte.
On October 11, Botte hit a personal record of 20:35 in the 5k at the GMC Red Division race. “I knew that I ran a great race and hit a PR, and it felt amazing,” said Botte, who earned the third-place medal in the race.
First-time cross-country runner Carly Cutrone, a junior, also hit a new personal best in the 5k race and held a 6:53 pace for 3.1 miles. “It feels amazing,” Cutrone said.
The top runner for the boys’ team, junior Josh Santiago, had a big season, finishing fourth at the XC Fall Classic, eleventh at the GMC Red Division Meet, and sixth at the GMC Conference Championships. “It feels amazing. I worked really hard to get to where I am and have fought through a lot of obstacles,” explained Santiago.
On October 11, Santiago added to his resume by taking two minutes off his time in the 5k race with a new personal best of 17:09. “It felt incredible,” said Santiago. “My initial goal for the season was 17:30, so passing it by so much felt great.”
Carly Cutrone and Victoria Botte consider themselves ready to lead the team next season. “It feels amazing to know I will get to lead this great group of girls,” Cutrone stated.
On the boys’ team, Santiago’s leadership role continues. “I used to look up to and admire the leaders of the team, and to now be one is an experience I’m going to enjoy so much,” expressed Santiago.
After falling short of sectionals, the young teams will begin to rebuild the program for next year. With strong leaders like Botte, Cutrone, and Santiago, the teams are in good hands.
Posted on 11/20/23
Photos by Lors Photography
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