Shady Side Academy runners look forward to next season

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, November 9, 2018 | 6:42 PM

For the second year in a row, the Shady Side Academy girls cross country team finished with a 9-2 overall record and 8-2 in the section.

“It was a wonderful season for us,” SSA coach Sue Whitney said. “We were consistently positive and had constructive senior leadership at every turn.”

The Indians will lose six seniors from the team, including four-year runners Natalie Capretto, Isabella Cavagna, Daeja Sanders and Josie Szlachetka. Seniors Erin Simard and Emmie Lau were on the team for the past two years.

“That was a lot of experience we’ll be losing, but the most pleasant surprise this year was the new blood for our team,” Whitney said. “We had lots of freshmen and first-year sophomore runners that came out, infusing our team with energy, excitement and a willingness to work hard towards a common goal.”

Key returnees for next season will include junior Juliana Bem, sophomore Maevis Rosengart and freshmen Karen Mendoza, Emma Lammert and Ariella Avigad.

“Juliana ran consistently in our top three,” Whitney said. “She trained hard all summer, and it certainly paid off. Karen and Emma will certainly be in our top five, and Maevis came along nicely this fall. Big things are expected of her next fall, as well.”

Whitney also expects contributions from transfer student Caroline Green, a junior.

“She will surely add to our youthful roster, as she has the experience and desire to be a major contributer next fall,” she said. “We will miss our seniors greatly, but look forward to continued success in 2019 with many returning runners.”

Marty Stewart is a freelance writer.

Tags: Shady Side Academy