West Islip Boys Cross Country Team Rebuilt for 2010 Season

Head Coach – Chris Kaigh

Key runners- Stephen Foppiano, Ryan Tantone, Steve Hetterich

Key meets- Manhattan College Meet (at Van Cortland Park), Meet at Lakeview Park

Despite the loss of the team's top two runners from last season, head coach Chris Kaigh is hoping a slew of talented seniors and underclassmen can lead the Varsity boys cross country team in the right direction.  

"We have a strong senior class this year who are all returning varsity runners and who will battle for our top seven," Kaigh said.  "Stephen Foppiano is our fastest returnee from last year having gone 18:47 for the 5,000 meter course at Sunken Meadow Park.  Close behind are Ryan Tantone and Steve Hetterich who have both gone "low 19's" in our championship meets in '09."

Kaigh also mentioned seniors Dan Badolato and Skylar Ellison, who are also "in the 19's" from last season.  

The team is excited about a trio of talented tenth graders --Steve Schmitt, Bill Martin and Chris Nohilly -- who are looking to build off successful freshmen campaigns in '09.  Kaigh noted that they each has the potential of cracking the top seven and possibly bumping a senior or two out of the rotation. 

"That's the beauty of Cross Country; the clock doesn't care what grade you're in just how fast you are," he said.  

The team opens the season with the Jim Smith Invitational at Sunken Meadow in September 11.  League III dual meets will begin the following week.  The major invitationals the team will participate in this year include the Manhattan College Meet at Van Cortland Park in New York City (the largest high school athletic event in the US) as well as the Meet at Lakeview Park in Pawling, NY, which is the site of the NYSPHSAA Championships in November.

"It should be an interesting season and we are all looking forward to our first race in September," Kaigh said.  "Hopefully, some will still be racing in November in Pawling but, as my Mom used to say 'we shall see.' "

Check out the events section for the Varsity boys cross country schedule.