The Manhattan College Invitational may be the largest high school cross country meet in the nation, but the Friars didn’t get lost in the crowd.
The St. Anthony’s Girls’ Varsity Cross Country team was one of over 350 teams to compete at Van Cortlandt Park on Saturday, October 14th. The Friars’ varsity squad made a strong showing, with top finisher Jennifer Furman completing the 2.5 mile course in 16:49, a time that placed her 37th out of 179 runners. In the sophomore race, St. Anthony’s tenth-graders worked together to create a “black wave,” with Ashley Eckhoff, Alexis Pares, and Siena Kahler finishing 6th, 11th, and 20th, respectively. Meanwhile, the star of the freshman team was Aine Mannion, who snagged third place in the 1.2 mile race with a time of 7:24.
The girls were pleased with their performances, according to senior varsity member Grace Regan.
“It’s the biggest meet in the country and the competition was really tough,” says Regan. “But our freshman team really stood out as our top finisher came in third in a very large race. Our varsity and JV teams stood out as well.”
As Regan points out, the Manhattan Invitational is notable for its size. The meet draws over 10,000 runners each year, including some from as far away as Kentucky, Florida, and Canada. There are 40 races on a tightly regimented schedule throughout the day, with some races going off less than ten minutes after the race before. The average race sees between 150 and 200 competitors on the starting line, so it’s important for runners to break from the pack early to avoid getting trapped.
“Manhattan is definitely a race where you have to know how to get out fast,” says St. Anthony’s girls’ coach Sharon Scubla. “There’s a wide starting line but it really narrows when you’re going into the woods.”
However, although the size and intensity of this meet offers a serious challenge, the Friars aren’t afraid to run with the best. The St. Anthony’s team attends the Manhattan Invite every year and they have always held their own, just as they did this year.
“We made our mark on this competitive meet,” says Regan. “Now we are looking forward to the championship season as our team continues to grow stronger.”
About The Author:
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Danielle D’Alonzo Danielle has run cross country and track since freshman year. She reads the sports section every day and also writes for school newspaper, The Paduan. Danielle is also a member of NHS, Math Honor Society and English Honor Society. |
