Preview: Kennedy Girls Cross Country

The 2010 cross country season has arrived for Kennedy head coach Chris Mammone and his girls team. 

The Lady Cougars struggled in their conference last year, finishing a winless 0-12, mainly due to a shortage of experience and overall depth as a team. However, that trend seems to be making a turn for the current season, and Mammone is confident in their chances.

"Last year, we had a very young team," he said. "This year, we have a bit more experience. I have some new girls running this year that should help a great deal."

Cara Feldman, who the top runner for Kennedy last year, is a returning senior and will be looked at to provide a necessary source of leadership. She was a New York State qualifier in 2009 and has only improved since then.

"Cara has constantly improved," Mammone said. "She ran about a minute faster in her junior year than she did as a sophomore [in the conference meet]. She has had great summers of training. With her, she is definitely going to be one of my top girls."

Feldman was the lone Lady Cougar to compete in the New York State championship as the fifth and final qualifier for Nassau County. She feels that her teammates have the potential to follow in her footsteps and rack up the wins.

"We have a good team this year, having a lot more people come out than last year," Feldman said earlier this month.  "The first two days, everyone looks good and ready for practice, so we have the potential to have a good season."

Two young, new additions in sophomores Sara Rosenzweig and Kateryna Nahornyak should figure to help with the depth issue from 2009 and help the team rack up some crucial points.

"With Cara, Sara, and Kateryna, those three should fit right in there with the other top runners in our conference this year," Mammone said. "With that, I would say it definitely is possible for us to compete for the conference this year."

Rosenzweig and Nahornyak, although new to the fall season of cross country, bring much running experience. Rosenzweig competed in spring track in previous years and Nahornyak has competed in both spring and winter track.

"I have always been a middle distance runner, and coaches have been trying to encourage me to run cross country," Rosenzweig said.  "I think that with who we have along with a couple other girls who were from track, we could really make it this year."

Mammone said he'd like to see two girls qualify for the state meet, but he also has set the bar high for the entire team.

"Coming in the top two or three of the conference is a goal and possibly even to win it, which would be a huge accomplishment," he said.

Competing in Conference 2A this year, winning a title figures to be an uphill climb. Kennedy has added some quality runners that will make them a sure contender, but as in years past, the Wantagh girls are the tallest task ahead.

"Wantagh is in our conference, and the last couple of years they've had a really strong girls team," Mammone said. "Overall, they are the team to beat."

Kennedy will compete in its conference tournament on Oct. 30 at Bethpage State Park. Mammone looks at that date as a benchmark to build up to.

When it comes to that circled date on the cross country calendar, he expects his girls to be in top shape and ready to win.

"Everything in the beginning of the season, I don't really stress it," Mammone said. "You have to start doing the work and strive to end on a positive note. When it comes to October 30, you have to be in top shape for that day."

Due to their struggles last season, the favorites to win in 2010 may not be looking out for the girls of Kennedy. However, with their senior leadership, addition of strong, young talent, and guidance of coach Mammone, the team could certainly make a spark in Nassau County this year.