New Providence High School is home to some of the most talented athletes in the state.  This is especially evident on our cross country team. 

Coach Arnold has been coaching for almost nine years, and, according to him, this year has been “very good so far.” 

Coach Arnold was very optimistic about the team making it to sectionals this year on  Saturday November 9th. If cross country does well at sectionals they will move on to group meets. 

The cross country team is made up of a large number of talented runners. Some of the most notable runners is Christian Cadmus, with times of 16 minutes for 5k, 10:29 minutes for 3200m, 13:28 minutes for 4K, and 16:43 minutes for 5150m. Cadmus has definitely made a name for himself as one of the fastest long distance runners that New Providence High School has to offer. 

He isn’t alone. Clare Kelly is also one of the best runners with running times of 19:27 minutes for a 5k, 19:47 minutes for a 5150m, and 16:35 minutes for a 4K. Only a junior, Kelly is on her way to becoming one of the fastest runners on both the girls and boys teams. 

Some people on the cross country team run together. Teammates running together makes them wanna push themselves to go further. When teammates run together it makes others “go the extra mile,” says Coach Arnold. 

I had the chance to talk with two of the team’s junior runners: Dominick Cardone and Max Ortiz. These two run together during practice and meets. They have similar run times so they run together during practice and during meets. If either of them fall behind the other pushes themselves to catch up. Either way when it comes down to a meet they have each other’s backs. 

The way cross country races are scored is similar to golf, with the lowest score winning. The best score you can get is 15 points, which comes from five people from your team coming in first, second, third, fourth, and fifth. 

It’s looking good for our New Providence Pioneers this year. They’ve come a long way this season. Hopefully they win sectionals on the 9th, and move on to group meets and bring home a state trophy.