Blue Devil Boys' CC Looks to Future
The Huntington High School boys' cross country team finished its season at 0-5, but achieved individual success along the way. The 13-member squad was coached by Blue Devil alum Shawn Anderson.
Huntington was captained by senior Thomas Boisclair, who turned in the top times on the team. "He's a hard worker, consistent and a leader," Anderson said. "He's easy to coach."
The highlight of the season came when the freshman squad placed fifth at the Suffolk Coaches Invitational. Kyle O'Brien finished second and Ethan Dwyer was 17th. The Blue Devil freshmen also placed 15th in the Suffolk Freshman Championships.
Boisclair, O'Brien, Dwyer and junior Josh Watkins paced Huntington. "Kyle O'Brien is a talented runner, a hard worker, committed and a pleasure to coach," Anderson said. "He's tough."
The coach said that Watkins is another "tough runner," who ran three miles in 18:30. "He's extremely talented," Anderson said. Dwyer displayed a great deal of potential. "He's a consistent runner and a natural athlete," the coach added.
Huntington's roster included only two seniors in Boisclair and Ryan Dyckes. The team fielded five freshmen. "We had a strong group of freshman," Anderson said. "If they add some summer training, the team should improve by minutes next year. Our top runners gave 100 percent all the time. Tom Boisclair was a good leader."
The team's improvement was evident when eight of nine runners turned in personal best times in Huntington's final meet of the season. Anderson is confident that the Blue Devils will continue to make strides.
Looking ahead to next fall, Watkins expected to lead the team along with O'Brien. They are the only two returning runners that broke the 19-minute barrier on the Sunken Meadow State Park course. Dwyer, Marc-Henry Sanon and Tim Gress will round out the top five as it looks now.