The 2019 season has Head Coach D Hopkins and Assistant Coach Sharon Scubla very excited! Coach Hopkins stated, “We only graduated one of the top returning varsity runners last year. We have a strong group who have worked hard over the summer and are ready for competition. Senior Larissa Dorrian is a good strong anchor for the team.” Not only do they have a strong group of runners returning but a group of strong young runners to allow for depth.
Dorrian’s desire to win this season is creating a great atmosphere of commitment and hard work. The junior group of Kelly Parker, Kylie Maddalena, Lindsey Schwasnick and Angelina Desjardin are solid consistent runners that now have experience to step up their game and help round out varsity. Two sophomores, Caelan Schretmayer and Colleen Radigan, are emerging contenders to get into the top 7 along with two freshmen appearances, Olivia Fermo and Emma Rodriguez. We can’t discount the incoming freshman to take back their league title.
Our biggest competition this season will be Sacred Heart who are the 2018 League Champions. They are competitive and experienced with depth. “The Hopkins’ Harriers have the desire and discipline to give them a run for their money this year,” said Hopkins. SA has run four races thus far finishing 3rd at both the Jim Smith Invitational and Suffern Invitational (Bear Mountain). The team has also had a glimpse of the SH team at their Wednesday league dual meet where varsity beat SH 14-41 along with the JV and Freshmen winning their divisions 24-32 & 26-37 respectfully. Remember in cross country the low score wins.
Not only are they feeling confident with their team’s performances, but individually the runners are really coming into their own. The best scenario for a runner and any athlete is for them to peak at the championship part of the season at the end of October beginning of November. The CHSAA League Championship will be on October 27th at Sunken Meadow and the Intersectional will be on November 9th at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. “Each meet we have runners improving on their times,” said Coach Sharon. Recently the Freshmen captured their first invitational title on September 28th in the Suffolk Coaches Invitational with a team score of 25 and 3 girls finished in the Top 10.
Parker, the lead Friar, opened her season running the 2.5 league course in 16:24 qualifying for All League Honors. The lucky number for All League honors is 17:30, and two additional runners currently have hit the mark. Dorrian in 16:50 and Fermo 17:03. Desjardin is seconds away running 17:32 and expects to earn the honors any meet now.
“We have started the season off well with girls running up to their potential and hungry to claim a championship. That makes a season very exciting for a coach and on top of it they are having fun”. Coach Hopkins mentioned.
By Scoreboard Writers Kallie Shanahan & Katherine Zagar
