![\"boys](\"http:\/\/willistonblogs.com\/athletics\/files\/2015\/11\/boys-xc-288x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWith a combined record of 26-2, Williston\u2019s boys and girls cross country programs have set a championship pace this season. \u00a0Members of both teams say they\u00a0have achieved this success through of a combination of supportive coaching, a team-first mentality, and a competitive, but healthy, environment.\u00a0 Despite their impressive results this fall, the teams remain focused on running their best races at the New England Championships at Westminster this Saturday.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The boys team (14-1) has had a stellar season.\u00a0 Head Coach Christa Talbot-Syfu, and assistant coaches Peter Gunn and Chris Pelliccia, have pushed the boys to work harder and test their limits, their athletes say.<\/p>\n
One of the team\u2019s star runners, Nick Hill \u201917 of Northampton\u2014who finished in the top three in six out of the eight races this fall\u2014attributes much of his success to his coaches.<\/p>\n
\u201cI started to get more into running as my times got faster, and that was largely in part to Mrs. Talbot-Syfu because she pushed me to work harder,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Rob Champigny \u201918 of East Longmeadow, also speaks very highly of his coaches.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey know me really well, and they know the strategy I need to use to run well,” he said. “They are some of the best coaches I have ever had, and they know what I need to do to be at my best.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although he’s in his\u00a0sophomore year, Mr.\u00a0Champigny has finished in the top four in every race this season. He has five wins, one second-place finish, and one third-place finish. Perhaps the most impressive statistic of his brief running career is being ranked first all-time on the\u00a0Boys Cross Country Honor Roll, a competitive list of all the Williston runners. \u00a0He expects to see even more success during his next\u00a0two years on the team, but for now he is focused on\u00a0bringing home silverware from New Englands.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The team\u2019s \u201cmain goal at the beginning of the season was to win New Englands,\u201d Mr. Champigny said. Both the boys and girls teams are determined to do just that.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Tuleja has done the most incredible job in preparing us emotionally, physically and mentally for race day,” Ms. Scott said. “He is very enthusiastic and loves to get us jazzed in any way possible. Each time that we get a PR, he makes laminated cards to celebrate those achievements.”<\/p>\n “Although many people think cross country is only an individual sport,” she added, “we have learned that while one person may win the race, we cannot win as a team without everyone trying their absolute best. I push myself to the max because I want to do it for the team and for Mr. T, who is such an inspiring coach.\u201d<\/p>\n Ms. Borden, who is new to the sport, has excelled over the past months.\u00a0 She currently has five race wins and sits second all-time on the team\u2019s honor roll.\u00a0 She attributes much of her success to strong team spirit.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have really great captains who are great leaders,” she said. “I try to get my teammates to feel good about practicing so they give their all; I try to lead by example by giving 100 percent\u2026When I run, I think about the team and that helps me perform at my best. We all keep pushing each other and everyone is so supportive.\u201d<\/p>\n Healthy competition has also been hallmark of both programs this season. Good friends, Mr. Champigny and Mr. Hill have been pushing each other for the past two years.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are really good friends, but we are both competitors and neither of us like losing,” Mr. Champigny said of Mr. Hill. “Last year he was behind me by 40\u00a0seconds, but this year he has beaten me in a couple of races. He is a very good competitor, and we continuously push each other to be the best we can, and that pushes the other runners behind us to be the best they can be. We are both trying to be that number one and two spot on the honor roll.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr. Hill describes his friendship with Mr. Champigny in a similar way: \u201cI wanted to run with Rob this year, so I worked hard this summer to push myself and to push him as well. \u00a0Our teammates have worked hard to follow us as well. What really matters is that we work well together and we have great races.\u201d<\/p>\n Both teams worked exceptionally hard this summer to prepare for the season. \u00a0Mr. Hill accumulated over 400\u00a0miles running around Northampton from June to August! \u00a0\u00a0Some of his longest workouts reached the 13-mile mark. Clearly, he was preparing himself and the team for a breakout season.<\/p>\n \u201cI hate listening to music when I run, so I just thought about my goals for the season, where my times should be, and what the team could do,” he said. “I wanted to get in the low 16s, and I am already there. Now I am working on achieving my breakthrough goal which is to be first on the honor roll. \u00a0I also want the team to win New Englands because we have never won it before\u2026All of the hard work this summer was absolutely worth it. \u00a0Every single time I go out and run it is so much easier and more pleasant.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to his season accolades mentioned above, Mr. Hill\u00a0is third all-time on the Williston Cross Country Honor Roll, and he continues to finish among the fastest runners in each race.<\/p>\n Many members of the girls team also ran together this summer, where they were able to forge a strong work ethic and build camaraderie. Ms. Scott shared her summer training program: \u201cOver the summer, Mr. T gave us a rough training schedule to build a base to begin the season. Our captains live in the area and often held practices for any runners that are around.\u201d<\/p>\n This weekend is shaping up to be an exciting time for Williston\u2019s cross country programs. \u00a0Let\u2019s all cheer them on from campus this Saturday and hope that their seasons will end with a championship.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" With a combined record of 26-2, Williston\u2019s boys and girls cross country programs have set a championship pace this season. \u00a0Members of both teams say they\u00a0have achieved this success through of a combination of supportive coaching, a team-first mentality, and a competitive, but healthy, environment.\u00a0 Despite their impressive results this fall, the teams remain focused … Continue reading Williston\u2019s Cross Country Laces Up for New Englands<\/span> ![\"girlsxc\"](\"http:\/\/willistonblogs.com\/athletics\/files\/2015\/11\/girlsxc.jpg\")
<\/a>The girls team is heading into New Englands with a 12-1 record.\u00a0 The positive environment, fostered by Coach Tuleja, has helped his runners push their limits as well. \u00a0Maddy Scott and Maya Soley currently sit third\u00a0and fourth\u00a0on the honor roll, and at the Six Schools Meet this past weekend, 11\u00a0runners posted their personal best times.<\/p>\n<\/a>In addition to the\u00a0coaching, the students attribute their team’s success to their team-first mentality. Scott, Soley, Elin Blomquist, and Caroline Borden have combined for many of Williston\u2019s top place finishes this fall.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n