Even at her young age, Lexi Smith recognizes that time has a way of sneaking up on you. It wasn’t all that long ago when she was a bright-eyed seventh-grader, new to the ways of cross country and track and field, was it? Now the Shoreham-Wading River High School senior is competing in her final high school winter track season, with a future in NCAA Division I cross country and track ahead of her.
“It’s definitely creepy,” she said. “It seems like just the other day …”
My, how times flies. READ
Welcome to Sunken Meadow State Park, home to one of the most grueling cross-country courses in New York State. It’s a place known for breaking down runners and bringing up their times.
As described by DyeStat.com, the five-kilometer course starts with a flat 1,200 meters before the runners hit steep Snake Hill. Then they move on through a picnic area and take a half-mile climb to the base of notorious Cardiac Hill, which extends for some 200 meters of steep terrain.
“Snake kills your calves while Cardiac just kills you in general,” said Mattituck senior Christian Demchak. READ
It was essentially a late start to the high school cross-country season for Adam Zelin, but the Shoreham-Wading River junior caught up in time to run his way into the state meet for a second straight year. READ
Shoreham-Wading River High School’s boys cross-country team has two returning state meet runners, but after that the Wildcats have question marks. That could have coach Bob Szymanski feeling a bit uneasy heading into the new season. READ
Shoreham-Wading River High School cross country and track and field coaches Paul Koretzki and Bob Szymanski were honored by Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker for each being named a Coach of the Year by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association. READ
Katherine Lee’s 2016-17 winter track season didn’t go the way she would have liked, and it really had nothing to do with how she performed. Lee’s undefeated indoor season was cut short when she was cleated on her left ankle from behind by another runner while running the 1,500 meters in the Millrose Games. READ
The Shoreham-Wading River High School boys cross-country team is seeing a different Joe Krause this season. The fun-loving Krause has attacked his junior season, training hard and taking the sport more seriously.
“I finally found my motivation,” he said. READ
One will not find a star runner among them, but that doesn’t mean the Shoreham-Wading River High School boys cross-country team will not be shooting for the sky — or at least the top of Suffolk County League VI.