coaches’ corner
Cross Country
Cross Country TYSON TRAUTZ, Head Coach The 2014 cross country season began in July when several runners traveled up to Dartmouth for the Gold Medal Running Camp. The group bonded and enjoyed running twelve to fifteen miles each day – an effort that paid off during the season.
raced against Thayer Academy, Noble and Greenough, and St. Sebastian’s. The team lost to a quick Nobles team and claimed strong victories against both St. Sebastian’s and Thayer. The regular season was now over with a record of 12-6.
At the team’s first race, the Martha’s Vineyard Invitational, the varsity team had its highest finish ever, placing second overall in a tough field of competitors. John Pappo ’18 had an impressive race, finishing third overall.
At the ISL championship at Governor’s Academy, the team ran a competitive race despite difficult conditions. Belmont Hill’s top five came in the top half of the entire race, and John Pappo ran an incredible race, coming in tenth, and winning a medal and All League recognition. The team came in seventh out of the fourteen teams, matching its performance in the previous year.
The team then lost to a strong Middlesex team but had convincing wins over both Lawrence and St. George’s. Jake DeCaprio ’16 had a strong finish in his first varsity race. Next, the team traveled to Milton Academy to face Milton, St. Mark’s and Groton and came away with two wins and one loss for an overall League record of 4-2. In competition against Roxbury Latin, Tabor Academy, St. Paul’s, Marianapolis Prep, Worcester Academy, and Governor’s Academy, the team lost to Roxbury Latin and St. Paul’s, but beat the rest. In the last home race, at Fresh Pond against BB&N, the team took four of the top five in each of its races. On a rainy Saturday, the boys fell to a tough team from St. Mark’s and fell to very fast teams from Roxbury Latin and Rivers. The rough day of racing was a sign of the racing we were preparing for at the ISL and New England Championships.
At the NEPSTA Division One Championships at Hotchkiss, the seniors put together a solid performance that propelled them to an eighth-place team finish. Aided by a medal-winning performance by John Pappo who finished the tough, hilly course in 17:13, good enough for 19th overall, Belmont Hill beat out ISL rivals Milton and St. Mark’s, earning redemption for losses at the ISLs. It will not be easy to replace this year’s seniors, who not only added strong running talent and work ethic to the team, but also a great sense of humor and camaraderie. The team is lucky to have such a dedicated and caring set of assistant coaches in Kirby, Rice, and Vailas. Thanks to them for their knowledge and leadership, and to all of the parents and staff who contributed to the team and helped make it another great year.
In the last meet of the regular season, Belmont Hill
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winter–spring 2015
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