By Nathaniel Babcock and Braydon Downs
The Marist men’s cross-country team remains locked in with the winter-track season now underway following a bittersweet ending to their 2023 cross-country campaign.
As they participate in the current track season and prepare for next fall’s cross-country season when they will return their top seven finishers, the team is optimistic about the immediate future.
The men’s cross-country team fell short of the podium at the MAAC Championships, needing 16 more points to finish in third place. Junior runner Gabriel Rodriguez put up a valiant effort in the 8K race with a time of 25:47.9, which led the Red Foxes.
Despite a strong effort from Rodriguez and the rest of his teammates, who as a group averaged a time of 26:15 while earning 115 points, they fell just short of placing fifth overall.
“We were pretty disappointed with how we finished at MAACs. We were within striking distance. We just felt like we had a lot more to give, and that it can reflect our work throughout the season,” said senior runner Tyler Perry. “We’re ready to move past and look forward to track and reflecting, we had a great outdoors last year, we’re looking to maintain that into an indoor track season.”
Part of this optimism stems from the introduction of a true assistant coach to the team’s staff. The program brought Billy Poole-Harris into the fold this past offseason and his impact was felt immediately. While previously being the head coach at Bard for the past two years, Poole-Harris’ teams racked up 28 records; 12 for the women’s team and 16 for the men’s team. Additionally, he is the founder, owner and president of the Windy City Hammers Youth Track Club.
“Overall, for our team, [Billy Poole-Harris] is a great addition,” said Gabriel Rodriguez.
Poole-Harris’ wealth of experience and knowledge emphasizes recovery and efficiency in training. This season, the team began to prioritize recovery more in their weekly schedule, working just as hard in that realm on rest days as they would on their more intense days. The team feels this new training philosophy will yield greater returns the longer they stick with it.
The Red Foxes’ top runner, Chris Paxis, suffered a season-ending stress fracture to his shin right at the start of the 2023 season and was unable to race for the entirety of the cross-country schedule. This loss rippled throughout the program, as the team relies on his excellent performances to serve as a catalyst for the team as a whole. As a result, the team had to grow even closer to make up for the loss of their leader.
“Marist’s recent hiring of [Poole-Harris] has had a profound impact on the players… Billy helped soften the blow of Paxis’s season-ending stress fracture in his shin,” said senior runner John Ignacz.
“We really had to work with each other and alongside each other on a daily basis” said Rodriguez. “As well as in races, to work as one group and progress through the race, rather than really feed off of Chris Paxis’s energy.”
Rodriguez stepped up in his absence, seamlessly transitioning into a leadership role. Multiple runners expressed their praise of Rodriguez, noting that he consistently finished first in almost every race, including finishing 19th overall in the MAAC Championships. He led the Red Foxes each week, setting the pace and tone for every meet.
“[I was] just trying to set an example for a large incoming freshman class that [Sean Dearie] led,” said Rodriguez, “That’s the foundational aspects of this team for the next four plus years.”
The upperclassmen runners highly regard the freshmen class, as they provided an abundance of bright spots. Dearie, Raffi Buchakijan, and other freshmen stepped up to secure top-seven finishes with the team.
Ignacz expressed hope for the freshman class, saying, “I think that overall, like next year, [the freshman] are going to come back, gunning for that third place position.”
Dearie further emphasized that this past season was a step in the right direction for next season.
“I wouldn’t say it was like a failure or a success. I think it was just like a stepping stone for future years,” said Dearie.
The team’s unity extends beyond the racecourse, as they engage in various team-building activities and volunteer in the community. Pre-race traditions like team dinners help get them mentally prepared and excited to compete. Volunteer initiatives, spearheaded by senior runner Roshan Kalikasingh, reflects the team’s commitment to enhancing the student-athlete experience. Kalikasingh’s involvement in the SAAC (Student Athlete-Advisory Committee) inspired the team to participate in community service, connecting with the community and strengthening their bonds.
As the team gears up for the spring season, their goals remain high. Perry articulated their ambitions, aiming for third place overall in the MAAC, which would mark their highest team finish in a track competition.
Ignacz emphasized the importance of purposeful training, including “giving each run a specific purpose and sticking to it.” Rodriguez echoed the excitement for the upcoming season, emphasizing the foundation they have built while training.
Recruiting also plays a role in elevating the program. Competing with bigger schools for runners, Marist finds itself at a slight disadvantage when it comes to acquiring top recruits. The coaches are focusing more on quality over quantity, looking to bring in talented athletes who are the best possible cultural fits.
On an individual level, each runner continues to refine the little aspects that can make a big difference. Getting proper sleep, mobility work, and giving each training run a specific purpose helps each runner maximize their performance. Listening to their bodies to avoid overtraining and balancing periods of hard work with recovery will be especially important moving forward.
Edited by Luke Sassa
Graphic by Eugene Barbieri; Photos from Marist Athletics
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