First invite shows potential for cross-country team

First+invite+shows+potential+for+cross-country+team

Sarah Grier, Assistant online/social media editor
September 8, 2016

The LT cross country teams began their season by hosting the first invite in the fields outside of SC for 16 schools in the surrounding areas on Saturday Sept. 3rd. LT won both boys JV and varsity team awards. The girls placed 3rd in varsity and 2nd in JV.

LT claimed the 1st place varsity thanks to the second place finish of Vince Zona ’17 and third place finish of Danny Kilrea ’18 who ran together in the meet.

“Danny has been really awesome to run with all summer,” Zona said. “We have both pushed each other and worked together to be the best we both can be.”

Boy’s JV runner, Luke VanKoevering ’17, did extremely well in the invite, placing first in his race.

“The race went well for me but especially for my team,” VanKoevering said. “We all ran tactically and as a pack and LT ended up earning first through seventh place.”

In girls varsity, stand out runner from last season, Sarah Barcelona ’19, placed 5th in her race, despite strategic errors, helping the varsity team claim third.

“Everyone went out really fast which made the other two miles kind of rough,” Barcelona said. “I think everyone probably would have had a lot more energy in them at the end if we have been more conservative. Overall as a team we were solid and individually for me I feel like I’m right where I should be at this point in the season.”

Another girl’s varsity runner, Cara Paliakas ’18, was excited for her ninth place finish individually in this highly competitive race. She looks forward to a good season.

“We’ve been training for state so compared to last season we’re working into it still,” Paliakas said. “This is just the beginning and we’re trying to improve as the season goes on and I think this is a good starting point.”

In girls JV, Merrelle Brzeczek ’17, had an impressive 4th place finish individually and credits her coaches’ in the help proved in training for this event.

“The LT coaches this year have been amazing, and they have truly taught us how to train smart and race strong,” Brzeczek said. “They have definitely had us working hard, but they are also all super encouraging, and make everyone want to be the best runners they can be.”