Fairfield Student Assumes Leadership Role on GFA Cross Country Team

After losing senior captain Tommy Ross to graduation, the boys cross country team at Greens Farms Academy in Westport was looking for a new leader.

Head coach Glen Colello believes he has found a more-than-suitable replacement in senior captain Evan Bieder of Fairfield.

"He may be the best runner in our league and Division 4 New England," said Colello, whose team competes in the Fairchester Athletic Association, a group of independent schools in Fairfield and Westchester counties.

Bieder has been running since the fourth grade. He became interested in the sport because his father, who ran track at Westhill, would run with him.

However, soccer was Bieder's first sport.

"At first, I played soccer, but I was not getting a lot of playing time and I was not even given a fair chance to get some," he said.

At that point, Bieder decided to give competitive running a chance and never has regretted the decision. "It has been a lot better because the coaches are fair to everyone and they help us as a whole team feel close," he said.

Last year, the Dragons finished unbeaten while repeating as FAA champions and winning the New England Division 4 title.

However, many felt a big part of GFA's success was due to Ross, who finished first in almost every race and now competes for Trinity College.

"I came in second last year to Tommy during a meet because he had a sore knee, but it was an amazing feeling," Bieder said. "We both shook hands and congratulated each other after the race."

Bieder admits Ross' presence has been missed, especially at practice.

"Tommy did everything, he really got everyone motivated," Bieder said. "He has been difficult to replace."

Bieder,  along with senior captain Will McCarthy and junior captain Wills Roone,  are doing their best to step up in Ross' place.

"We all really work hard and are supportive of each other, so hopefully things will go as well as they have," Bieder said.

The Dragons begin their season Wednesday at the Brunswick School in Greenwich.