| MacBeth will run
Schenectady High School senior Erin MacBeth says cross country running will be fall sport of choice, rather than soccer, when she heads off to college next year. The 16-year-old MacBeth is in her second season as a member of both Schenectady teams. As a junior, she was selected a Big 10 first team all-star in both sports. “I've played soccer since I was six years old, and I've been on [Schenectady's] varsity since my freshman year," MacBeth said earlier this week. “I still enjoy it, but over the summer my focus turned more toward cross country. I like it. I like to run, and I want to run in college." Despite being relatively new to the sport of cross country, MacBeth has drawn interest from several colleges for her running ability. She said she's in the process of narrowing down her choice.
Upperclassmen pass on traditions to freshmen
This year's women's cross country team has just that, with five seniors leading a talented group of underclassmen. For Head Coach Bill Ware's squad, this mix is essential to produce a winning team. The Bombers, already ranked in the top 30 teams nationwide, have won all three of the invitationals they have entered so far this year. The reason for this start is not only smart, fast running, but also a combination of great leaders helping young runners be the best they can be, Ware said. “It's not just one thing. It's a mix of many things," Ware said. “It definitely helps when you have the senior leadership like we do this year." Led by captains Amanda Boccio and Bridget Hastings, the rest of the senior class — Elizabeth DeLong, Melanie McCormick and Anna Sumerlin — has aided a roster made up of mostly underclassmen and guided them to an unbelievable start.
Wharton runner conquers 5Ks, blood pressure condition
"It was like tipping a cow," veteran Wharton cross country/track coach Wes Newton said. Today, Bailey's low blood-pressure condition — neurocardiogenic syncope — is under control. So far, the early stage of her senior cross country season has been uneventful; she even placed third Saturday in a race at North Port High. But before receiving the proper diagnosis and medication, Bailey would enter a race knowing the nauseating scenario awaiting her in the final meters. She kept running anyway. .
Making Strides | ESF applies for Division III membership, cross
Previously, ESF students interested in running cross country turned to Syracuse University's running club, The Jackalopes. ESF students are not eligible to run for SU's cross country team because it is a Division I sport.
"I tried running with the Jackalopes a few times, but they didn't have enough structure so it wasn't beneficial to me, said Mike Miles, a sophomore forest engineering major. "ESF seems to have more structure."
The teams practice behind Bray Hall near the campus' Robin Hood Oak as often as possible. The cross country teams have a flexible practice schedule, allowing students to attend practice when they have time without facing penalties for being absent. This allows students to balance busy class schedules with running. .
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