Dec. 10, 2025
By Serenity Mendoza
Staff Writer
The cross country team ended its season at the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association State Group Championship at Holmdel Park in Holmdel.
Continuing its success beyond the regular season, seven members of the boys team — senior captain Aiden Nogueira, juniors Gabriel Angelli, Lucas Angelli, Angelo Bellero, Gabriel Campos, Michael Hooper and sophomore Nicholas Brennen — and two members of the girls team — junior captains Madison Mason and Cathia Nogueira — qualified for this meet.
Campos was LHS’ best finisher at the championship, running 3.1 miles in 17.29 minutes and placing 31 out of 144 runners.
“While I was nearing the end, I thought about giving it everything I could,” Campos said. “I knew that once I crossed that finish line, I would have to wait another year to come back.”
“I loved seeing my times improve and stay consistent. Knowing that the work I was putting in was paying off felt amazing.”
A three-year varsity member, Campos said this season has been filled with accomplishments.
For the first time since 2014, the team qualified for the Bergen County Meet of Champions, which took place on Oct. 25 at Darlington Park in Mahwah. Then, for the first time since 2015, the team qualified for the Group II North State Sectional XC Championship on Nov. 1 at Greystone Central Park in Morris Plains.
“Early in the season, I wasn’t certain of anything. But as we progressed, I was confident we had a good shot at qualifying for groups,” Campos said. “The entire varsity team runs under 19 minutes, and I’m really proud of my friends for their dedication to make that possible.”
Head Coach Picardo attributed the team’s success to their commitment to improving.
“They are super hungry,” Picardo said. “They put in the time and the effort. That makes my job incredibly easy,” Picardo said.
He said that over the course of the season, the boys formed a cohesive group despite the sport’s individualistic nature.
“I am proud of the amazing, hardworking kids we have in our program. Their self-discipline and work ethic [are] second to none. They have worked super hard and have made great strides,” Picardo said.
Nogueira, a three-year varsity member, said this season exceeded her expectations.
“Throughout the season, Madison and I struggled with horrible pains in our shins, so just being able to run and compete well at sectionals was enough for us to be satisfied,” Nogueira said. “Even though I didn’t expect it, I had really hoped that Madison and I would make it this far.”
Nogueira said next year, she wants to consistently finish in under 20 minutes and compete in the State Meet of Champions.
She said she is motivated by the progress she has made.
“I loved seeing my times improve and stay consistent. Knowing that the work I was putting in was paying off felt amazing,” Nogueira said.
Junior Michael Hooper, a two-year varsity member, also said he feels encouraged as he reflects on the past season.
“Coming into this season, I knew we had a very solid team, but I never could have imagined how far we’ve come,” Hooper said.
He said he hopes his teammates will continue to perform at a high level next year.
“If we stay consistent and work hard in the off-season, I think we can be a force to be reckoned with. I know all of our returning runners have expectations,” Hooper said. “We hope to surpass what we achieved this year.”
