As the runners came around the lake the first time Senior Trevor Tate was in the lead with talented Sophomore Malcolm Strother close behind. Trevor is a 5 year varsity runner who knows what it takes to run distance races. Malcolm is in his first year running cross country and is better know as a sprinter and jumper on the track. Both runners attacked the hill as their coach encouraged them. Shortly after these two runners came Eric Schwartz and Scott Kaplan separated by only a few feet. The final group of Liberty runners was Matt Fortin, John Fitzpatrick and Brent Kaplan. The boys ran the uphill and downhill well. Trevor, Malcolm and Scott did a particularly good job picking up several places. As they came around the lake for the last time, it appeared than Malcolm was in the lead for Liberty. He was followed closely by Trevor and shortly thereafter by Eric and SCott, still in a close race. The boys worked their way up and over the hill by the ice rink and into the final sprint for the finish. Malcolm turned on the speed and pulled away from Trevor who also had a nice finish! Malcolm's time was 19:06 putting him in 27th place and was a minute faster than last week! Trevor had a 19:22 which was good for 32nd. At the 200 meter mark Eric and Scott were in a dead heat. Scott was able to pull ahead with a good spring at the end but Eric was close behind. Matt was the final scorer for Liberty finishing fifth followed by John and Brent. Eric, Scott, Matt, John and Brent all posted times that were better than last week with Matt's improving by 1:30!
It was not until after the race that the team found out that Trevor had another mishap. This time a tree root attack him as he ran for no apparent reason! Trevor was able to fight off the root, pick himself up and get back in the race! A lesser runner might have limped off but not Trevor! And you though football was tough!
The girls had to wait until 1:30 PM to race but were ready when the gun sounded. Kim McKay got a fast start and was with the lead pack as they began the race around the lake. As they cam back into sight Kim was still running well in the top 15 runners in the race. She was followed by Kristen Sarno and Lissandra Villalobos. Kim did a great job making her way passed slower runners up the hill and gained a couple of spots in the process. Kim put on a nice show of speed in the final 300 meters placing 15th in 20:29 in her last Section IX cross country race of her career. Kristen and Lissandra followed Kim to the finish line.
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