BY ELISA CIOKU
On Saturday, November 2, the girls and boys cross country teams competed at the NJSIAA Sectionals. The girls placed fifth overall, leading them to Group Championships, and the boys placed sixth.
The girls feel proud of how much work they put in, so much hard work to get to this point. “It really felt great to be able to place as a team and to be able to move on. This hasn’t happened in a long time that the entire team got to qualify,” shared junior Victoria Botte. “I was just happy for myself and for everyone, knowing we have come so far and practiced all summer, and this is what we have been working for.”
Junior Jason Kasoff ran in the boys 5000-meter race at sectionals, placing 26th out of 120 runners. “I felt great and prepared for this race since there was the chance it would be our team’s last one together,” shared Kasoff. “I wanted to put all the hard work I have put in this season into this last race, and I did.”
The boys had a very close score and almost qualified for Championships, but they just missed the cut at sixth overall. “It was rough. We needed to come to the top five to advance as a team, and we came up two points short,” said senior Joshua Santiago. “I’m still so proud of the guys for how hard they worked.”
Botte ran a course personal record during the 5000-meter race and qualified individually by placing in the top 15. “I ran a 19:29, 5k. It felt amazing to be able to have such a great race, especially at one of the biggest races all season,” said Botte. “It was really a great experience.”
Senior Carly Cutrone, who had an outstanding season, broke 20 minutes in the 5k. “I felt amazing. My hard work and nonstop training during the hot summer days felt so worth it seeing that number on the clock,” shared Cutrone.
Santiago placed fifth in the 5000-meter race. “It felt great. I was surprised since I hadn’t trained in over a month at that point,” shared Santiago. “I was very happy with how I did.”
The girls competed at Group championships on Saturday November 9 and placed 16th out of 20 teams. “It was a super tough course, and we knew it would take a lot to advance,” said Cutrone. “We ran with three less runners but still gave it our all and left it all on the course.”
Overall, both cross country teams performed their best this fall season. They both faced some tough competition, but they gave it their all.
Posted on 11/13/24
Photos by Lors Photography
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