The J. Taylor Finley Middle School co-ed cross country team is on the run, with 18 boys and girls putting in mileage during after school practices.
Finley is coached by social studies teacher Jarrad Richter, who is quietly, but steadily developing the program into a Suffolk middle school power
This year’s team features seventh graders Amy Andrade, Marcus Argaman, Lucas Biancardo, Nikolay Caldwell, Reed Cummiskey, Colby Curran, Michael DiVencenzo, Chelsea Drummings, Anya Goleski, Julia Goodwin, Eric Heinz and Sophia Rodriquez; and eighth graders Jordana Boxer, Jamyn Husselbeck, Kiera McGuire, Tyler Peck, Dana Saramago and Louisa Skrobela.
There are home meets scheduled with Kings Park, Commack, West Hollow and Oldfield and away contests with Stimson, Candlewood and Elwood.
Richter is putting the team through rigorous, but fun workouts involving stretching, exercises and runs of various lengths around school grounds. The squad is building up its endurance and ability to keep a good pace during races and to finish strong.
The team meets Richter daily on the paved area behind the building to get organized. The coach likes to make being on the team a fun experience. The seventh and eighth grade boys and girls are already developing a strong bond with each other and building a nice degree of camaraderie.
Richter is striving to develop some of Suffolk’s best young runners.