Cross Country: One Hill Of A Team

This year could be one of the most successful years for the cross country program as the team continues to evolve. 

Feet pound furiously on the dirt paths of Land Park, as dust sprays into the air with the kicking of many pairs of shoes. Beads of sweat drip continuously and lungs scream for air as runners fly along the path in record time.

Just an average run for members of the 2015 Christian Brothers High School cross country team.

Nearing the midway point of the 2015 fall season, the CB cross country team is on course to produce yet another highly successful season under the helm of its longtime coach, Mr. Danny Delgado ’79.

In his 19th year as coach of the team, Coach Delgado has lofty, yet quite attainable aspirations for his various boys’ and girls’ teams this season.

“I fully expect the varsity boys to win the section this year,” says Coach Delgado, “and that they go on to run very well at the state meet.”

The seven-runner team of varsity athletes has great potential to not only meet their coach’s expectations, but also go beyond them this season.

Anchored by seniors Michael Sparks III (’16) and Adam Wong (’16), the men’s varsity squad seeks to improve on last season’s finish of second place overall at sections.

“We’ve taken second place probably six times in the past thirteen years, but I figure we’ve got a great chance this year to improve on that, with three and four-year returners on the boys side,” describes the optimistic science instructor.

However, standing in CB’s way to sectional crowns are rival schools Riverbank and Dixon, who have prevented the team from taking first place at the section meet in recent years. Both schools feature high level cross country programs and will assuredly provide challenges for the varsity squads in the near future.

“Riverbank always sneaks up on us,” admits Mr. Delgado, but adds that his varsity boys are currently rated first in the section for their division which gives them confidence going into future competitions against the schools.

Nick McHale (’17) aims to do his part in helping the varsity to their goals while improving individually at the same time. The star junior runner boasts a blazing mile time of 4:47, and his unparalleled endurance, combined with the speed of Mikey, Adam, and the other varsity runners, poses a formidable challenge to athletes from other schools.

The team is relatively young on the women’s side with only one returning senior runner, but continues to run strongly at each race and has the full ability to place very well in the meets ahead.

“There’s something about having senior leadership that really makes a difference, and so if the girls continue to run well, they can definitely make the top three in their section,” says Coach Delgado.

While the spotlight often falls primarily on the varsity squads, both junior varsity and freshman/sophomore teams have been producing successful seasons as well.

In his first year on the team, Evan Recanzone (’19) describes his experience so far as “a lot of fun, but you have to work really hard.”

The freshman has come to embrace the family-like bond that the team shares and looks forward to becoming a better runner this year.

With the top-tier quality of the CB cross country team runners, this could prove to be the breakout season for the varsity girls and the varsity boys, who are right on track to reaching the goal of a section championship.