Harrier Marcellus 2009

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Harrier Marcellus - October 15, 2009 - Edition # 10

 

Visit http://www.jecrosscountry.com/ to see photos, race results, and former J-E teams.

 

October 15, 2009                                                                                                                   Edition - No. 10

The Eagle Harrier

Sweet Victory!  

Slonosky, Alpha Key League Title

Syracuse, N.Y. - When the dust settled, and the scores announced, there was much celebration from the J-E crowd.  "We did it" shouted senior Mike Marrero.  "Yeah, now you're talking" yelled Greg Bader.  The J-E Boys Cross Country squad had just taken the league title away from defending league champion Marcellus by the narrowest score possible in a dual meet: 27 - 28.  Though the Eagles and their supporters celebrated, there was much uncertainty for a long while after the race ended.  This in not totally uncommon where the winning and losing teams are not determined for sometimes thirty minutes or more.  "It's a shame that this happens" said J-E Coach Roman, "not many sports is the final outcome not known immediately after the contest is over". 

     What was clear was that the concept of TEAM rang true once again.  "We won the team scoring without winning the individual race" said Roman, "this makes this victory even more special".  "It took five guys, no, make that every guy on this team working together for the last three or four months to achieve this title".  "I couldn't be happier for the fellows, their parents, and for the school".

     The Eagles knew that if J-E was to win, it had to summon every last ounce of energy from the scoring ‘five', and that someone had to ‘step up' in a big way.  "Marcellus is ranked third in New York State Class B for a reason" added Roman, "they were the sixteenth best team in the merge from Manhattan, this team is for real"! 

     Cody Stanton tried valiantly to win the race from the onset of the race, but fell just short.  Stanton, still coughing up phlegm from a nasty cold he picked up over a week ago got out quick and led for part of the race.  He entered the final loop in good position to win, but Marcellus' Jesse Garn simply outkicked Stanton.  "What's the matter with me" Stanton exclaimed after the race, "I'm doing so bad lately".  Stanton undoubtedly is being too tough on himself as everyone knew that the race would come down to him, Garn, and Westhill's Kevin Zych.  "All three runners have speed ratings at or above 175" said Roman, these guys are all legit".  Garn won the race in 16.20, followed by Zych (16.28) and Stanton (16.31).

     After Stanton finished, senior teammate Mike Marrero legged it in for fourth place (16.47) with a comfortable seventeen second margin over Marcellus junior Tom Riccardi (17.04).  "Mike wanted to lead us to a league title badly" and "he was the most upset when the results were delayed" said Roman.  "He was suffering big time".

     Greg Bader then did he promised he'd do, beat Marcellus' third man to the finish line.  "I knew after Manhattan when Manahan and I ran the same time that I'd get him" said Bader, "hey, he's only a freshman, he shouldn't be able to run with me".  Bader was only slightly disappointed to not beat his buddy, Marcellus' Tom Ricardi.  "Tom ran so smart today and I just couldn't stay with him".

     After each team's first three runners were across the finish line, J-E had a one-point lead (10 - 11).  "Heroes and legends are often made by the guys who score fourth and fifth for a cross country team", you have to remember, this is a team competition" said Roman.  "This year, the heroes of our team were our fourth and fifth runners - Steve Slonosky and Mitch Alpha".  What Roman was referring to was the eighth-place finish of Slonosky (17.43) and the eleventh-place finish of Alpha (17.58).  "If Marcellus's Mike Fallon (9th/17.50) or Mike Quercia (10th/17.58) beat Slonosky, we lose, it's as simple as that" said Roman.  Furthermore, if Alpha is displaced by Marcellus' sixth man (Owen Dean - 12th place/18.09), J-E loses also.  "Quercia has beaten Slonosky in all four races that they've raced the same courses on in 2009, at Jamesville by 51 seconds, at B'ville by 28 seconds, at McQuaid by one second, and by 27 seconds at the Manhattan meet on Saturday" said Roman, "Stevie picked a great moment to have a great race".  Alpha likewise has lost to Dean by 35 seconds at B'ville and 16 seconds at McQuaid.  "Both guys stepped it up big time" said Roman.

     Tom Poppe was J-E's sixth man, finishing in 13th place (18.13).  "Poppe put his heart and soul into this race" said Roman, it is clear that he went out to help us win the title".  "I think he went out just a little too hard and he faded a bit toward the end, but his effort was outstanding".

     The rest of the J-E finishers were: Jack Gugel (21st/19.16), Carlin Coomey (25th/19.29), Derrick Cheney (27th/19.44), Robby "Rosa" Patterson (34th/20.43), Jared Bard (41st/22.50), and Billy Direnzo (42nd/22.57). 

     The post-race celebration was enhanced by a wonderful barbeque that the Westhill Running Club provided.  Most J-E harriers had a nice meal.  "We achieved the first of three goals today" said J-E's Roman, "the league title".  "Thursday, we will begin our quest for the Section III title".  "If we achieve this, we can concentrate on the really big prize - a state title".  "One step at a time for sure" added Roman, celebrate tonight, and get ready for one heck of a workout tomorrow"!

                        ~R.W. Roman~