SOMERS, N.Y. - On Saturday, May 3, Somers High School hosted the annual Lion’s Club Track Meet, and the Tuskers were ready to run.
But not one Somers runner needed to cross the finish line, because they were all winners already.
Going in, the boys won their 8th consecutive league championship, and the girls racked up their 16th in a row.
Ellis Wintle prioritized unity as the driving force.
“It’s all the time we spend running together,” said the senior.
The 800M runner also went right to the top to quantify the sentiment.
“Our coaches are great at getting us to feel like a team,” said Wintle.
For his part, the miler leads by example, and he walked away with a trophy to prove it. The Lion’s Club Sportsmanship one to be specific, the runner always demonstrates responsibility, attitude and support and he’s sure the traits rub off. “I think it’s a large part of our success,” Wintle asserted.
Of course, the miles still have to be put in, and PJ Goff makes sure the young runners know what that actually means. “We try to have them get a sense of what they want to accomplish, and what it takes to get there,” said the pentathlete.
The realization also comes down to each runner flaunting their flying colors at meets.
“We want them to see what each of us can do,” said the 400-meter hurdler. “That makes them want to do more.”
The coaches probably deserve some credit too, but the man in charge quickly distributed the wealth.
“They are like mini coaches,” said Mike Lacko. “The younger runners look up to them, and they actually help the underclassman before they do their stuff.”
At the same time, Lacko allows all the athletes to be an open book.
“I let everyone try every event, because you don’t know what you’re going to be good at,” he said.
Alongside, the coach makes sure each runner is allowed to personalize their own career. “I let the athlete be an athlete and themselves,” Lacko assured.
Still, the coach never leaves out historical context. “I’m always reminding the younger ones of the streak,” said Lacko. “You don’t want to be the group that ends it, and I think plays a part in keeping it going.”
Twice as long on the girls side, Coach John Vegliante kept his explanation much quicker. “It’s just a culture of hard work and giving your best,” he said.
The girls’ coach has help too. “Our upperclassmen are always upholding the success, so the younger ones can see and can’t help to do the same,” he said.
Kaya Duzynski concurs. “I watch the seniors run, they move me to go faster and keep up with them,” said the freshman.
Sophia Klugherz makes the most of the view from behind too. ‘They all pass us, that’s the best motivation,” said the freshman runner.
Inspiration, on the other hand, doesn’t just travel down. “It’s about our team dynamic,” said Mia Sandolo. “There’s a lot of motivation to keep up. Everyone has the same mindset. It unites and brings us together.”
24 championships and counting, it proves that family is definitely first and so is Somers Track.
