As a “pain sport,” Cross Country lacks a reputation for being conventionally fun. But there is often more to be gained from pain than from pleasure, as Madison runners have learned over the past three months. With many having run nearly every day since the beginning of optional summer practices in late June, the XC season truly begins in the summer, where athletes begin to build the aerobic base crucial for periodizing one’s performance such that they run their best races when it matters most – now.

Madison’s Varsity squads have seen great success thus far, with notable highlights including a fifth place finish at the Shore Coaches Invitational on October 1 and a division title for the men, and a 3-3 record against some historically strong divisional competition for the women. Headed by strong duos at the front in Leo London and Patrick Natale, and Elizabeth Kulesa and Clotilde Monville, both teams have proven themselves through both the prowess of their low-sticks and their depth.

On Tuesday, October 11, Madison runners competed at the most important meet of the year up to this point – the aforementioned NJAC Championships, in which they faced stiff competition in the form of Parsippany and Kinnelon on the men’s side and Villa Walsh, Parsippany Hills, and Morris Catholic on the women’s side.

The men ultimately placed third in the race, with the following placements: Leo London (16:58 – 4th), Patrick Natale (17:34 – 9th), Jacob Nolan (17:52 – 15th), Henrik Hamilton (18:07 – 19th), John Davidson (19:06 – 37th), and Jack Lukasavage (19:06 – 38th). London became just the 9th runner in Madison history to break 17 minutes in the 5000 meters, averaging 5 minutes and 27 seconds per mile for 3.107 miles.

The women registered a 4th place finish, with the following placements: Clotilde Monville (21:26 – 12th), Elizabeth Kulesa (21:44 – 16th), Emily Jones (22:31 – 25th), Macey Arnold (22:49 – 30th), Mallory Dineen (38th – 23:31), and Emma Cipriani (23:57 – 50th).

The meet was also the penultimate race for Madison’s JV runners, whose efforts resulted in a victory in the men’s race with a perfect 15 points – done by placing all 5 scoring runners in the top 5 – and a 4th place finish in the women’s race. The race was marked by standout performances by Ryan Delaney (18:54), Martin Bria (19:25), Philip Natale (19:31), Malcolm Horan (19:33), and Eli Stodard (19:39), who placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th. Madison only entered three of the requisite five runners necessary to register a placing in the women’s JV race, but despite lacking a full squad, Phoebe Stern, Mary Johansen, and Emily Csatlos each ran solid races, placing 35th, 51st, and 52nd.

Aiden Shah placed third in the Freshman-Sophomore race, proving his fitness after coming off a knee injury.

On Tuesday, October 18, Madison will run a full Varsity and JV team for the last time in 2022 at the Morris County Championships at the Central Park of Morris County. From there, the Varsity teams will compete at the NJSIAA State Sectional Championships on October 29.