Raiders Run Wild at Bobcat Run 2016

Chris and Omar Break Freshman Record

Lowell and Chris

Team Racks Up 12 PRs

By Myles Stryder

What a day in Armonk! The Hamilton Harriers have been working hard all season and improving steadily, but I don’t think anyone expected to have so many runners take such a big step forward on the same day.

     The day dawned cloudy, but luckily not rainy as the team met for an 8m bus and quick breakfast of bagels and cream cheese. The team scrambled off the bus shortly before 9, set up the tent in the middle of the field and started getting

prepared for a day of races.  Everyone was sensing the excitement in the air. The Bobcat Run has grown into a class cross country event, This year there were about 40 teams competing and the field was packed with multi-colored tents, teams and uniforms.

    First race of the day for Hamilton was the freshmen boys. Chris Yeosock was eager to take another shot at Lowell’s 1.5 mi. Mark of 10:49. All of the freshmen have been working hard the last couple of weeks, to the point of completing their first 5 mile run on the trail this past Thursday.  The race

started out with a couple of circuits around the field and then into the woods. The course proved to be much faster than Woodlands and the improved competition must have had some effect on our runners because they flew today. First out of the woods and down the field to the finish was Chris coming in at a record breaking 10:09. Omar followed with a mad dash at the end, passing seven

runners in the last 100 meters. He crossed the line at 10:44 also besting the old record.  Next in with a PR and 5th fastest time ever for a frosh was Dennis Rambaran at 11:19. Brennan, Savallya and Joe D. all followed with PRs of their own, with each shaving more than a minute off their bests. After today, it looks like Coach Aiello will be running a few of these 9th graders in the 5K next week at the C and O meet at Bowdoin. They need to know the course should any of them be needed at the State Qualifier meet.

    The girls ran JV again today. Today Megan had the better of it, with a 24:09 5K, 7th best ever. Naomi followed with a

Megan on the way to PR

25:03. Jennifer Vargas then turned in a 27:44 for her second PR in a week. Maddy and Lauren followed in helping the girls finish ahead of Valhalla.

     All the boys ran in the varsity race and it was a fast one. Lowell again was our first man across the line matching his season best of 20:10. Captain Ryan followed again with a PR of 21:07. Brandon M. continued in the #3 spot also turning in a PR of 22:50 which puts him into

our all-time top 20. Jeff quietly slipped into the the #4 spot also turning in a PR time of 23:51. Christian and Alfonso followed, helping the team combine to out run Mount Vernon and Children’s Village.

     Coach Aiello had been looking forward to this meet, but never expected to see so many show so much improvement at the same time. The Bobcat has long been one of the favorite meets of every cross country season, and after today’s performance, you can be sure the team will be looking forward to returning next year. Wednesday the team returns to Woodlands for the League Championship, stay tuned.