The 2017 Cross Country season is right around the corner and second year Coach; Jen Hazzard has her team off and running. The team has been preparing for the start of the season for over a week and are excited to begin their season on September 2nd. "Practices have been going great. We have been training on a variety of terrain to be ready for any course thrown at us. I am also really pleased where they are at for our long runs," said Hazzard.
Photo (L to R): Travis Geniti, Nick Ferrara, and Lyndsey Fiore compete in a sprinting drill.
The roster has nine runners, including returners Jonathan Knack and Jacob Mosher. "We have numbers and will actually be able to score this year instead of just participate. Jon Knack and Jake Mosher are two guys I am definitely happy to have back. Honestly, every new member of this team will lead us to success. They all have strengths, and with some fine-tuning they will develop into great runners," said Hazzard.
The team has been putting in miles and foot time in the pre-season, but has also been working on speed. They have been spending time in the weight room with workouts geared toward supporting long, fast running. The focus, being on year two of having a team, is to keep improving and get some good times this season.
"Our biggest strength is the heart of this team and their ability to hang on. A coach once said to me, as a runner, "you have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable." And these guys are really good at that. They push through the discomfort really well and you would never know it because they make it look so easy, no matter what I am super proud of my 
runners."
Photo: Antonio Natole and Clane Newcomer finish their cool down run.
The future is bright for FM Cross Country and the way things are going, there will be some fast times this year. The season opens up on Saturday, September 2nd at SUNY Poly. The short course invitational will begin at 10:00 a.m.
Photo: Coach Hazzard leads core workouts.
