Ithaca, NY - Heading into the summer, the boys of Ithaca High School knew there was potential coming the next fall. The team that finished 11th at Feds the year prior was bringing back a solid group of guys, led by the state meet's 8th fastest returner, Jake Avery. They are the only team who bring back their entire Top 5, and have the ability to add some new names to the mix as well.
The last time they won the State Meet, was back in 1982, only the third of such an occasion. Now, 34 years later, Ithaca looks like it could challenge for the top of the podium. Nicknamed "Lil' Red," as the high school sits in the shadow of Cornell University, Ithaca is the second smallest Class A school in Section 4. They draw talent from many different walks of life, ranging from college professors to pastoral working class families.
The team calls practice twice a week on the expansive Cornell campus during the summer. Training runs consist of a traverse among the many hills that surround the valley Ithaca finds itself. The team finds themselves grounded in the early season, simply looking forward to improving before their first big meet. They are looking to debut well at the Pre-State Invitational at Chenango Valley, followed by a possible trip to the Manhattan Invitational. Such will prove a worthy test of what's to come in Championship Season.
Hear from the kids, and the coach, below!
Hear From the Team
Quick Questions With Coach
Head Coach - Rich Bernstein (Coach B)
What is something you've been working on long term in your training plan as a coach, that has enabled the potential of the current team?
Although I've had some pretty solid teams over my years, I
noticed a group of sophomores (Jake Avery, Neil Kolhatkar , and Ian
Tomasik ) and one Frosh Silas Derfel mixed I with squad 2 years ago. The
planning began then, gradually increasing their mileage over the next
two years, and talking with them about accepting the challenge to pursue
excellence. There actually was another promising Soph, Noah Sorensen
who had to retire due to back issues. But another Soph, Cole Eells, a
varsity basketball player , was the next man up! We also have some
others stepping up.
What about cross country was it, that originally enticed you to begin coaching?
I was a 3 sport player in HS and played
some Junior College basketball and didn't start running until I
watched Frank Shorter win the 72 Olympic Marathon. Living and training
in Syracuse after graduation with the Syracuse Track Club, two amazing
HS coaches, Jerry Riordan and George Constantino, encouraged me to go
into coaching , and give back to the running community 31 years later,
here I am. I love the democracy of it, everybody, fastest kid or rookie,
have to show up and do the work daily and monthly.
How do you balance the workload across a diverse population of
athletes? When training upperclassman among underclassman, how do you
create synergy between the two distinct periods of athletic development?
Luckily
our program has a reputation for being serious about training, but we
still have a wide spectrum of boys and girls(I am the head coach for
both.). Planning, planning planning. There are days when 3 distinct
for each team, and days when, if the underclass men want to challenge
themselves, will head out with varsity. Great communication with our
captains help with challenging but not overwhelming "rookies"
What is the thought process that goes into designing an Invitational
Schedule for a team, knowing their potential? What meets, and why?
I have always been a big believer in challenging our kids outside then
section, but not over racing. So a 3 meet challenge from mid- September
through October has always been our plan. Usually Bville ( but
pre-states this year), McQuaid, and Manhattan. This year the boys will
be in Eastern States. Then it's a 2-3 week training block to prepare for
league, sectional, States, Feds. NXN Regionals.
How does your training environment (geographical) dictate training?
(How has your training adapted to the topographical features of the area
you live in?)
You know where we live, just about every run has a hill in it, so we're well prepared and embrace them in races.
