Nov. 1, 2024
By Alexandra Lourenço
Editor-in-Chief
This season has been filled with accomplishments for the cross country team.
Among the girls, sophomores Madison Mason and Cathia Nogueira finished in fifth and sixth place, respectively, to earn first-team all-league. Senior captain Gianna Scardino finished 16th to earn second-team all-league at the New Jersey Interscholastic Conference Divisional Championship in Woodland Park on Oct. 1.
Nogueira said it is exciting to place in events and set new personal records.
“Seeing the times at the end of the race get lower and lower is really satisfying,” Nogueira said.
She said through challenges and successes, she has learned about the importance of mindset.
“It is very different to be physically ready to run 3.1 [miles] and to be mentally prepared to run 3.1 [miles],” Nogueira said. “Mentality is a big part of everything–not just running, not just school, everything.”
Scardino, who has been on varsity for four years, said as captain, she makes it a priority to bond with new members.
“Not many kids at LHS come into the sport having done it before, so being there to guide the underclassmen is important,” Scardino said.
She said she joined cross country to push herself.
“I never thought I would be a good runner, but time and time again, I have surprised myself in more ways than I can imagine, and I have done things I never thought that I could,” Scardino said.
She said the runners have benefited from a new tradition in which Head Coach Picardo asked the runners to write out team and individual goals. They hung these sheets of paper in their locker rooms, and Scardino said many of the athletes have accomplished their goals.
Scardino said running cross country has lifted her spirits and taught her life lessons.
“The stress leaves my body when I run, and it’s just me against myself,” Scardino said. “It has also taught me that when things get hard, you need to push yourself because you will find a second wind and a reason to keep going.”
“Mentality is a big part of everything–not just running, not just school, everything.”
At the NJIC Divisional Championship, junior Aidan Nogueira, senior captain Matthew Vargas and sophomore Gabriel Campos finished second, third and fourth, respectively, to earn first-team all-league.
Vargas said cross country has taught him to push through mental challenges to focus on the physical aspects of the sport.
“The mind always talks, but the body moves,” Vargas said. “I pay attention to the motions more than my thoughts.”
Vargas, who has received offers from Drew University in Madison, Felician University in Lodi and Rutherford and Ramapo College in Mahwah, said he plans to continue running in college.
“I want to make a positive difference in running for a team by any means necessary, and I want to make a name for myself,” Vargas said. “I love the sport because it’s just you and your body moving at its limits with nobody telling you what to do or to not do.”
Vargas, who began running cross country last year to stay in shape for indoor and outdoor track, said he is motivated by his progress since joining the team.
“If you work hard, you will reach your times and what you want to hit and place wherever you want to place,” said Vargas.
