The J. Taylor Finley Middle School co-ed cross country team is off and running this spring. The squad includes 17 energetic seventh and eighth graders.
Coached by social studies teacher Jarrad Richter, Finley has meets scheduled with Stimson, Hauppauge, Northport, Candlewood and West Hollow.
The roster includes seventh graders Kiley Barch, Ryan Donovan, Grace Gordon, Jamyn Husselbeck, Mia Johnson, Shannon Koepele, Kiera McGuire, Claire Parks, Dana Saramago and Louisa Skrobela and eighth graders Edmilson Cruz Catota, Felicity George, Robert Giordano, Amalia Heinz, Molly Hodgkinson, John Joyce IV and Benjamin Soric.
The team is going through daily practice sessions to build their strength and conditioning while learning the techniques and strategies associated with distance running.
The runners are also learning about pacing themselves during the race so as to not tire themselves out early and to have something left for the final stretch.
Finley has offered a co-ed cross country program to seventh and eighth graders for many years. The team has always been competitive and it usually features at least several very promising male and female runners. This spring’s squad is no different. The 17 runners on the roster are having fun while conditioning and developing competitive skills.