Tag Archives: xc

Eight members of Islip’s boys cross-country team braved pouring rain on Sunday, September 27, to participate in the Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk in New York City, raising more than $2,000 for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Joined by Coach Rosado and supported by Coach Wilson and several parents, the student-athletes traveled from Brooklyn to Manhattan in an event honoring those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. This year’s participation held special meaning as the nation marked the 25th anniversary of the attacks.

“I felt it was important to do this on the 25th anniversary of 9/11,” said Coach Rosado. “These athletes of ours weren’t even born yet when all of this happened. The event’s motto is “Run, Walk, Remember.” We should never forget the events of that tragic day in our Nation’s history. It was an awesome event, and it was very moving to see all the police and firefighters lined up to greet us as we emerged from the tunnel. There were literally thousands of them. They wanted to thank us for running, while we want to thank them for their continued service. Every New Yorker should either run/walk this or go in and support the event.”

Islip runners Dom, Ethan, Luke, Lucas, Teddy, Eddie, Steven, and Declan gathered at the Islip train station at 5:30 a.m. before heading into Brooklyn by van. Coach Rosado joined the athletes, while Coach Wilson handled transportation, dropping the group off in Brooklyn and picking them up in Manhattan. Several parents also made the trip to cheer them on.

Despite the lingering rain from a nor’easter, the Islip group joined thousands of participants in embracing the event’s motto: “Run, Walk, Remember.”

For the students, who were not yet born when the attacks occurred, the event offered a powerful opportunity to connect with that history and honor the service and sacrifice of first responders. One of the most moving moments came as the group emerged from the tunnel to find police officers and firefighters lined up to greet and thank participants.

The money raised supports the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s programs benefiting first responders, catastrophically injured service members and their families.

The experience reflected a shared commitment from athletes, coaches, and families. With Coach Rosado and Coach Wilson helping make the trip possible, Islip’s runners demonstrated that teamwork and dedication extend well beyond the cross-country course.

Section XI News

WM Cross Country Takes on Oregon

February 18, 2026 admin

By Keira Kenny, a member of the Section XI Student Media team.

Last month, Ward Melville’s cross country team traveled to Oregon to compete on the national stage — a goal the team had worked toward all season. For senior Luke Jantzen, the experience represented far more than just a race. It was the culmination of months — and years — of dedication, sacrifice, and belief.

Although the team did not return home with a national title, the opportunity itself was a victory. The runners invested countless hours preparing for the moment, and their hard work paid off with qualification to one of the most prestigious meets in high school cross country.

Team-first mentality defines this group. Jantzen emphasized the selflessness that fuels Ward Melville’s success, noting that each runner prioritizes the team’s accomplishments over individual accolades. When asked about his proudest moment of the season, his answer reflected that mindset.

“The actual moment the team found out we made Nike Cross Nationals,” Jantzen said. “Not a moment in a race or when I crossed the line to just beat someone, but the time that we realized we achieved our goal.”

For Jantzen, qualifying for nationals was not just an achievement — it was the realization of something he once considered unattainable.

“When I first heard about what Nationals even was, I put it off as a pipe dream, something that could never happen,” he said. “Years later, when we qualified, it felt as if I was living in that pipe dream.”

He described the opportunity to compete at one of the world’s most prestigious high school cross country meets as “nothing short of a blessing,” expressing deep gratitude for his teammates and the chemistry that propelled them forward. That bond, he said, was just as important as the training miles logged along the way.

Looking ahead, Jantzen hopes the season sets a new standard for the program.

“I believe that through hard work with my team this year, we were able to set a new precedent for what this team can do and leave it better than we found it,” he said. “I hope to look back and see more growth from this team and for this year to be the first of a dynasty.”

For Jantzen and Ward Melville, Oregon was more than a destination. It was proof that belief, unity, and relentless effort can turn even the boldest dreams into reality.

Section XI News

Section XI Mourns Loss of Port Jeff COach R

October 11, 2024 admin

Longtime Port Jeff track and cross country coach Rod Cawley passed away recently. Section XI is sad about the loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with Rod’s family and friends.

Cawley coached from 1981 through 2021 in various capacities: Port Jefferson Boys Cross Country (1994-2020), Port Jefferson Girls Winter Track (1987-1989), Boys Winter Track (1990-2021), and Port Jefferson Boys Spring Track (1987-2021).

In his 30-plus years of coaching, Cawley had successfully kept the long tradition of Port Jefferson excellence alive on both the track and the cross-country fields.

As a cross-country coach, Cawley’s teams were 142-18, resulting in 18 League championship titles, 6 Division/Conference titles, and 16 County Class titles.

While coaching at Port Jefferson, Cawley’s individual runners also experienced success. In 1999, Eric Fleckstein was an overall County Champion; in 2001, Brendan Sullivan was a Footlocker National finalist. Winter track teams recorded seven league titles and three Small School County Championships. James Burke was a standout runner for Cawley, setting county records in the 1000m (2:26.75) and the mile (4:08.48) in his senior year (2015).

Spring Track teams under Coach Cawley were 195- 34- 1 in dual meet competition and earned 19 League titles. They also won five County/Division titles during this time. In 2001, “small school” Port Jefferson was crowned Long Island Team Champions by winning an end-of-the-year meeting consisting of the top five schools from Nassau County and the top five schools from Suffolk County. Quality prevailed over quantity there.

Cawley was named League Coach of the Year 44 times and County Coach of the Year 24 times. For his Long Island Championship in 2001, he was named Overall County Coach of the Year for his efforts.

While Cawley was busy running his own team, he found time to help promote track and field overall in Suffolk County. As head coach, Port Jefferson High School was the site of the Section XI State Qualifier Meet for 17 years. Being in charge of running a 1,000-plus-athlete meet for two days while coaching your own team is an overwhelming task. Cawley did it successfully and was always a great host to all participants, coaches, and spectators.

For many people, the marinated steak sandwiches prepared by PJ Track Parents were an annual delight to purchase after their events or while watching the meet on Friday evenings.

The memories of the meetings at Port Jefferson were very special and will live on for all those who attended.

One athlete who returned year after year to the State Qual Meet said it was like going to a game at Yankee Stadium and being in that atmosphere was special in itself.

So, just in case we did not say it enough over the years, thank you, Coach Cawley, for hosting all those great meets.

Section XI News

Port Jefferson Sophomore Organizes Unique 5K

October 8, 2024 admin

Earl L. Vandermeulen High School proudly celebrates the success of 10th grader Sean Grossman, who organized and launched the first annual Culper Spy Day 5K on September 8, 2024.

Sean’s passion for history and running came together in this special event, which drew over 300 participants to a scenic 5K course highlighting several historic sites connected to the Culper Ring, a Revolutionary War spy network active during the British occupation of New York City.

The event was a resounding success, raising close to $10,000 for the Three Village Historical Society education programs. Sean’s efforts not only spotlighted the area’s rich historical heritage but also showcased the power of youth leadership in significantly impacting the community.

Section XI News

SWR Girls XC Wear K to Honor Coach Koretzki

September 18, 2024 admin

In the days after the passing of coach Paul Koretzki, the Shoreham-Wading River girls’ cross-country team won against Hampton Bays, taking 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7th places. Coach K would be happy!

They wore the letter “K” on their arms to honor their late coach.

After the meet, the girls laughed and said how he would have told them to “get on with it” and not mess around with orange ribbons and armbands.

We’re thinking about Coach K today and especially the rest of this season!

Section XI News

Longtime Track and Field Coach Paul Koretzki Passes Away

September 16, 2024 admin

Section XI is saddened to learn about the passing of longtime coach Paul Koretzki.

His coaching career started in 1960 at Oceanside Middle School soccer, and he spent 15 years in Brentwood as a basketball assistant, soccer coach, and spring track coach. However, at Shoreham-Wading River, he cemented his legacy as one of the all-time great coaches in track and field and cross-country since 1980. He recorded a staggering 1,000-plus victories across all seasons and less than 200 losses!

Koretzki has led his teams to 73 League Titles, 36 Conference/Division Titles, 33 County Titles, and 2 State Titles. 14 individuals and 2 relay teams were awarded All-American status. Coach Koretzki was voted League, Division, or County Coach of the Year in Suffolk County 144 times. He was also the New York State XC Coach of the Year in 1987 and 2017. In 2004, he was even featured in “Faces in the Crowd” in Sports Illustrated for his accomplishments.

He also ran six marathons, founded the Brentwood Soccer Club, organized Youth Summer Track Program runs and meets for 47 years, and was the Girl’s XC and Track Coaches Association President from 1989-2013.

In 2020, he was inducted into the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame, and now he is a member of the Suffolk County XC and Track Hall of Fame.