Hamden High’s Cross Country team did quite well this year. According to Coach Bryce Lindamood, their goal was to be the top team at the Southern Connecticut Conference (SCC), which would be a “tall task for the boys.” They came in third, and he remarked that they have had a very productive season. He also said that they just barely missed the state opens as a team. Coach Ashley Cambisaca said that they had a productive season as well, and that she was proud to send two students to the state opens and one student to a competition in New England. She also said that the girls increased their placement in the SCC. Additionally, Alexander Medina, a senior, was named the runner of the year. 

Coach Ashley learned to be more adaptable this season in dealing with injuries that significantly affected their roster. She said, “[A roster is usually] seven runners, but at times [the girls’ team] only had three.” From managing that, I grew a lot as a coach this season.” She also emphasized that running was a team sport. Coach Lindamood didn’t really change his philosophy about coaching, as he is very experienced. He continued emphasizing that there was “no one-size-fits-all solution” and helping everyone be better. AJ Macatol, a junior, said that it was the “same coaching, but more seniors came in for instruction, [and there was more] guidance from [the] captains.” He managed to shave an impressive two minutes off of his 5k time, which is 3.1 miles, and he said that this improvement was due to “eating healthier, [and eating] less fast food. [I had more of an emphasis on eating] more carbs rather than protein. I also slept earlier.” 

Macatol said that they grew close together as a team, because of the “stupid stuff we do” and having pasta parties. A memorable moment for him was breaking his personal records (PRs), he said, “Every little PR counts. I went from [running] 20 to 18:30 in the 5k. Coach Ashley said, “We definitely grew more together as a team. It is sort of like sisterhood and brotherhood. I reminded them that it was a team sport and that we are representing the community.”