By Shaan Pandiri ’17, Middle School Staff Writer

The Middle School Cross Country team is having its most dominant season ever and is looking like one of the best teams in the state.

The cross-country team has been very good in past years; winning 10 meets in three out of its last four seasons. Cross-country had a very strong year last year, winning 11 races and coming in second place in the Gill St. Bernards (GSB) Pumpkin Run. This year they have done something special. They have gone both undefeated and have won the GSB Great Pumpkin Run.

When I asked Coach Gertler why the team has been so successful, he told me that the team picked up new runners including Matt Lim ’17, Michael Lim ’17, Matt Wei ’16 and Tarrun Maddali ’16. These new runners are very successful along with returning runners such as Josh Charrow ’16 and George Haglund ’16.

Practices are another key component of this year’s success. Coach Gertler has made sure that there is never a boring practice. “While at times it might be very hard,” says Jared Gilman ’17, “The practices are really fun. Cross-country is a time to improve your skills, but it is also a way to relax after what could have been a very stressful day. I know that running helps me when I’m stressed and at the same time, I get to hang out with my friends.”

While the cross-country team is running so well this year, they may have a tougher time next year. Matt Lim says, “Newark Academy has a very good cross-country team but if we don’t push ourselves we won’t be the dominant team we are this year.” The cross-country team is losing a very strong eighth grade class, which could be cause for concern , but Coach Gertler is not worried at all. He believes it could be hard but we have a very strong seventh grade class. He is sure that new kids will be just as fast as this year.

This year’s team team has finished season with the same vigor they began it. The 2011-12 Middle School Cross Country has never lost a race.

Congratulations!