Bears Claw Way to Sectional Title

BREWSTER—All season long, the Brewster High boys cross country team was aiming at one thing: a sectional championship.

Brewster’s Mike Thomas (L) and Charlie Carr led the Bears in 4th and 5th place at Bowdoin Park last Friday. DAN SCHIFF Last Friday at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls, the Bears made it happen.

The Brewster boys - who kept the sour taste of a second-place finish last year fresh in their minds all season – made sure they nailed down the win this time, and did it convincingly.

Brewster totaled 49 points to win Class A, with Fox Lane in second at 69, and Somers taking third with 89.

The Bears duo of Mike Thomas and Charlie Carr powered through the 5K course to take fourth and fifth place, respectively, with both clocking in with identical 16:47 times. John Carr was 12th in 17:15, Adam McIe took 13th in 17:27. Justin Maguire placed 15th in 17:31, Neeraj Suryanarayanan was 24th in 17:44 and Alec Budd finished in 25th place at 17:44.

Brewster’s Mike Thomas (L) and Charlie Carr led the Bears in 4th and 5th place at Bowdoin Park last Friday. Dan Schiff Suryanarayanan, a Brewster captain, said that winning a title has been talked about for some time.

“Not just all season, but from the moment I stepped foot on the cross country course,” the Bears captain said. “And to get it after four years is a dream come true . . . for all of us— and coach - he wanted it as much as us, and he instills that passion in us.”

It was Fox Lane that took the win away from Brewster last year, something the Bears focused on all year.

“We based everything off that performance,” Suryanarayanan said. “Fox Lane blew us out of the water last year. This year we went in like it was our last time. And it worked out. We’re ecstatic… everyone wanted it, and it was very much a team effort. It’s good that everyone stepped up.”

Scelia knew the kind of team effort that would be necessary to win the title, and all season he was preparing the Bears for just such a performance. In the last few weeks leading up to the section championships, the pressure only grew.

“It was incredible,” Scelia said. “Probably my most emotional day as a coach. We were a very slight favorite, and it was very competitive. There was a lot of pressure mounting for the last few weeks, and we ran the smartest and gutsiest race we ever ran. Last year left a bitter taste in our mouths. We went out too hard. This year we went our smart, and in control. The last mile was all emotion. We dominated the second half of the race, and won by 20 points.”

Brewster got a clutch performance from Maguire, Brewster’s fifth finisher.

“They all ran great, but the section title comes down to your fifth man,” Scelia explained. “Justin Maguire has gotten better with each meet, and he picked off probably 12 kids in the last mile and a half. It was, by far, his best race yet. He’s been phenomenal the last half of the season.”

Winning the title required key contributions from several runners.

“John Carr, our No. 3 runner, has been out with stomach problems, and he ran a 17:15 and picked off tons of kids in the second half,” Scelia said. “It was a phenomenal race for him. It was all about emotion. McIe ran with such heart and determination. And Thomas and Carr taking fourth and fifth was huge. No runner has (finished) between them all year. They push each other like crazy. It’s great to see Neeraj get an opportunity to run at states, and Budd ran really well.”

Scelia said it was an emotional scene for a close-knit Brewster squad.

“There was a lot of pressure all around,” Scelia said. “Everyone was tearing up. It was just a joyous day for the boys.”

The boys team will compete at the state championship meet Saturday at SUNY Plattsburgh.

Brewster’s girls team finished fourth in Class A with 106 points, behind winner Tappan Zee (30) and second-place Somers (76).

Ariana Bottalico finished second in 19:27, earning her a trip to the state meet. Nicole Zazzero was 18th in 21:51, Miriam Munn was 25th in 22:01, Jess Zurheide placed 30th in 22:21, Jamie Maguire was 31st at 22:22, Sam Waruch placed 45th at 23:54 and Michelle Zazzero was 49th in 24:27.

“Ariana advancing to states is great,” Scelia said. “She’s a phenomenal athlete, and ran the fastest time for a Brewster runner ever at Bowdoin Park. She ran very well, but overall it was an off day for the girls… they hung in, but the girls team is very young. They have a lot of potential going forward.”