The West Essex Track Team capped off a successful Cross Country season on Nov. 11 and broke several school records in the process.

A joint effort by the boys and the girls varsity teams allowed them to compete in the Group 2 State Championships, the first time in school history both teams have moved on. Seniors Alexia Perez and Ryder Morello also both set new school records for 5K times.
At the Oct. 27 Essex County Championships at Brookdale Park, Perez broke an 18-year record for fastest girls 5K with her time of 19:31.40, and Morello set a new boys record of 16:19.30, breaking Pat Dyer’s record set in 2009.

Other members of the team also beat their own personal bests, and the team average of 17:31 also tops the school record time for the State Sectional Championships.

“It’s because of our dedication that we’ve gotten this far,” senior Julia Geiger said at a press conference after season’s end.

Track and Field Head Coach Anthony Emering agreed, adding that the team’s tight group dynamic helped propel individual members to break new ground.

“Our athletes want to do their best because they don’t want to let each other down,” Mr. Emering said, “We live in an age where there is a lot of focus on the individual, I call it the ESPN age, but we have gone in the opposite direction.”

Coming off last season with an injured hip, Perez said she was motivated to challenge herself this season at practice, running at the pace of some of the boys on the team. Perez also admitted that when her races get tough, self-reflection is the key to persevere.

“You have to remember why you are doing it, why you started in the first place, because that is going to stick with you,” Perez said. Morello, reflecting on what helped him set his record time, said motivation ultimately came from himself.

“I don’t feel pressured, from this school or expectations from other people, but for myself—I want to do better than previous years,” Morello said. “I deserve it. I put in a lot of hard work.” The Knights’ successful Cross Country season comes on the heels of an even more record-shattering spring Track and Field season from the 2016-17 school year.

The team sent 14 athletes to the New Balance National Outdoor Championships, one of two American high school national championship indoor track and field meets, and ultimately had five athletes earn the prestigious title of First Team All Americans.

“We are extremely proud that we are among one of the best track teams in the country,” Coach Emering said.

The rest of the team is preparing for their upcoming winter and track seasons and the seniors especially look forward to making the year count.

“I just want to have fun,” senior Celia White said. “I have some of the best memories coming from track and I want other kids to know how great it is.”