It may seem like to some that Spring Track just ended. In some respects, with the Olympics, it still hasn't. But cross-country season is right upon us, and that means the national spotlight turns back to New York. In a state where the girls teams have routinely dominated the National Championships, and with boys not doing too shabby either, it can be argued that New York is the best state in the nation for the sport of XC. This year, MileSplit is dedicated to highlight those key performances. For the first time, MileSplit National will be producing our own internal National Rankings for both team and individuals, to be released the week of August 20th for the preseason. In the meantime, we'll be handling all the action here in New York. Tomorrow, we'll be releasing our intensive girls season preview, where we break down all the big names and big matchups. But just to whet your appetite, we took a trip upstate, to meet with one of the Top 5 girls teams in the state.
Round Lake, NY - Pulling up into the village of Round Lake, you can find the typical Saratoga sights of green brush, trees abundant, and houses with sizeable space between. The girls of Burnt Hills practice here, on a bike path that encompasses the village, less than 2 miles in diameter. The group of girls, ranging anywhere from 5th grade up to its seniors, tops out around 50 girls. Leading that pack is Varsity Girls Coach Shaun Zepf, a veteran of the sport who runs right alongside his athletes.
Coach Zepf: We have a lot of girls who have no problem bringing their little sisters along to practice to run as well. We have about 4 sets of sisters running with us right now.
MileSplit NY: So what does that do for the demographics of your team? Would you consider yourselves a young team?
CZ: Surprisingly, this year our Middle School contingent isn't as big as it usually is. Normally, we'd be pulling up somewhere near 7 girls, but right now we have a very good pack of High School runners who range all grades. Because the ages are spread out so evenly, I think we're going to have a strong team for years to come. Especially when some of our younger athletes come to competition age.
MNY: And how do you pick up some of these girls for your team? Does the athletic landscape at Burnt Hills help that decision?
CZ: It's actually an interesting situation. Burnt Hills has the fortunate issue of having some very successful sports programs all around. Most of our teams are ranked highly statewide. At the same time, athletes know of our successes in track and cross-country as well, and it can be enticing to certain runners.
MNY: So talk about running in Section 2, which many see as one of the most competitive. What's the terrain like here, and how does it compare to the rest of the state.
CZ: Well, our main cross country course is the Saratoga Spa State Park. It sometimes is viewed as a fast course, which can affect the speed ratings sometimes, but it is a course that has evolved over the years. Originally, it was a full 5k when the state meet was held there, but since then it has been adjusted to cut out a minor loop. So even though it isn't a full 3.2 mile course, it still is respectable for girls to be breaking 18 minutes. Also, its run on a cinder trail, but the roots can be dangerous, so you always keep an eye out. And of course, like typical New York cross-country, there are hills out there that can sneak up on you. But that's what we train for. Put us on a hill and we're golden.
MNY: Now when you look at your competition in Section 2, what do you see?
CZ: It's tough around here. Classification is tricky in our Section, and is done on a case by case basis, so you never know who you're running against. But I think our girls are ready. They've all been race tested, and prove to do well under pressure. Some of these girls have been to States before, and know how to perform when the time comes. I know we'll be putting up a good fight this season, and I am confident in what we can do.
MNY: Thanks for your time. You seem to have a very cohesive dynamic in your team, where despite the age differences, they work as one in warmups and stretching. We wish you the best of luck, and see you out on the courses.
Coach Zepf is also a Middle School teacher in the district, and as such, always knows that kids still need time for fun. As he left our interview, he went over to engage in a game of handball to encourage team bonding through physical activity.
As he left, we got a chance to speak with two of the more experienced runners on the squad, Dani Martino and Schuyler Pruyn, about their upcoming seasons.
MileSplit NY: Greetings ladies, can you just give me a quick introduction, let us know what grades you are.
SP: Hi, my name is Schuyler Pruyn, and I'm a senior.
DM: And I'm Dani Martino, and I'll be a junior.
MNY: Thanks. Now Schuyler, 4 years running for the same team, now you're an upper classman, how has your role been different this summer?
SP: It's definitely a new role to be a leader, I was used to having all the older girls to look up too. Now I am in that leadership position for all the young girls coming up, and I try to help them out like I was helped.
MNY: Now Dani, you're a junior, bumping up to that upperclassman level, how has your training been different this year?
DM: It's not too much different from years past. A lot of our running is done as a team, so I've experienced this kind of work load before. We all know how to push each other, and it creates a strong team bond between all of us.
MNY: Now, your team runs in Section 2, which many consider to be one of the states stronger sections. What do you think makes it so good?
SP: I think all the girls and boys train really hard year round, and we push each other in every race. With all the talent, you know you have to race hard in every meet. At the same time, even our toughest competition out there are all really nice girls, and we're all friendly onces the competition is over.
MNY: Now can you talk about some of your bigger upcoming meets, and how you have planned for those?
DM: Well, we typically start off with a couple of dual meets. Our first big Invitational is always McQuaid, and it gives us a great idea of where we are in the state because it pulls from everywhere. We don't attend the Manhattan Invititational so McQuaid is a place to race hard. But even with all the great teams in our Section, some of our dual meets can turn out to be the hardest races of the season. And of course, we are always shooting for a Sectional Title, and a chance to run at States.
MNY: Now that you are both upperclassman looking back on what you went through, what are your views of the team you have now?
SP: We seem to have so many young girls who are ready and willing to step it up when they need to, so I can see some very bright futures out there right now. They have such a strong work ethic that even pushes some of us, so I can see the team being successful in the years to come.
MNY: Now, I know some of the girls teams out there have their rituals and traditions before a big race. Do you have anything like that on your team?
DM: Well, we always go out with French braids in our hair when we race. We also lock pinkies for good luck before a big race, which is something of our own.
MNY: Sounds fun. Now Schyuler, last question. You'll be in college next year, have you given any thought to schools you're looking at, and that whole process?
SP: I've looked at a couple of New York schools already, but nothing too serious. I just think it's going to be weird next year not running with the girls from Burnt Hills after I've done it for so many years, its probably the biggest change I'll have to get used to.
MNY: Well, thank you girls for your time, and I look forward to the upcoming season.
The full girls NYS Preview will be out tomorrow, Thursday 8/10 at 9am. Be sure to like us on facebook, and follow us on twitter this season, as will get you the updates you want the fastest way possible.