The Manhasset Boys Cross Country team has started off its 2003 season on the right foot. Despite losing a slew of seniors, including captain Jesse Cohen and co-captains Darren Wray and Dan Treitler, Manhasset has not only been able to retain the determination and teamwork that existed last year, but has also been able to go beyond the highest expectations in what could be the season of their lives. The first meet at Sunken Meadow was only a starting off point for the Manhasset harriers, as they have won all their league meets since then and have taken their training to a whole new level.

After training for a few days without running a race, Manhasset decided to travel upstate to run a 3 mile race in Bear Mountain. Not knowing what to expect, the Manhasset team was in for a shock when they reached a hill comparable to Rockwood Hill in Manhasset! Junior Tommy Papain finished in the top 5 overall with a time of 17:29 minutes, sophomore Erik Lawrence finished right behind him with a time of 17:33, and senior George Erhardt finished a few places behind Erik with a time of 17:44. Freshman Steve Meditz had a very impressive race, running a time under 19 minutes. Junior Brendan McDonough finished the race a tad over 19 minutes, finishing in the better half of the race. Also racing were juniors Yousuf Qureshi (19:38), and Cary Choy (sub 24 ), who received athlete of the week honors for their personal best times at Bear Mountain.

After Saturday, however, the true season began Tuesday with the first league meet. The league meets are held at Bethpage State Park, a relatively flat course. Manhasset goes there every Tuesday to compete against other teams in their conference, which include Wheatley and several other teams.

The course is 3.1 miles in length.

Not facing too much competition in their first league meet, the real competition existed between the Manhasset teammates themselves. Tommy Papain finished 1st with a time of 17:33 minutes, which is approximately 5:40 minutes a mile. Erik Lawrence finished 23 seconds behind, finishing with an impressive time of 17:56, and putting him amongst the top sophomores in the County. Finishing third was George Erhardt with a time of 18:18.

Rounding out the top seven for Manhasset's varsity squad was Brendan McDonough (19:24) senior Ryan Drago (19:34), Steve Meditz (19:35), and Yousuf Qureshi (20:24). Manhasset easily beat its opponents, taking 1-2-3 without a problem.

Deciding to skip a meet on Saturday, Manhasset trained through the week with a new intensity. Combining interval work with "recovery runs" of six miles at sub 7:45 minute pace, Manhasset was ready for its next league meet. It should be understood, however, that Manhasset was not facing much direct competition in their next league meet. In the same race, was Great Neck South, with two guys under 18 minutes for the 5K (3.1 miles), and South Side, who was featured in a magazine for their superb start and for their two star runners. Both these teams are in Conference 2, while Manhasset is in Conference 4, but nevertheless were in the same race as Manhasset.

Manhasset was more than ready. Tommy Papain finished first again with a time of 17:16, but junior Terrence Moriarity of South Side was right on his heels, finishing four seconds behind him. South Side's second guy, Sean Johnson, was beaten by senior

Anthony McLean (17:36) and Erik Lawrence (17:37). Ryan Drago finished 4th on the team with a time of 19:22, and George Erhardt finished 5th with a time under 19:40. Yousuf Qureshi crushed the 20 minute barrier, running a time of 19:45. Cary Choy also did well, placing in the better half of the race with a time under 21 minutes. Brendan McDonough strained his right foot and Steve Meditz was sick, but both were running normally within a day or so of the race. Beating South Side may not have counted for the league meet, but it showed the Manhasset team how they compare to South Side, one of their main competitors for the County Class B race.

The first half of the 2003 cross country season has started off impressively for many of the runners. Tommy, Erik, George, McLean, Ryan Drago, Steve Meditz, Yousuf Qureshi and Cary Choy have all been running well, but Manhasset cannot hope to win without Brendan McDonough. Having a solid fifth man is key in winning the county title, especially a fifth man who ran 17:47 as a sophomore. Problems here and there do plague the Manhasset cross country team, but that is normal for a season as long and arduous as cross country. However, Manhasset plans to pull together and surprise a few teams by winning the Class B County title, something Lynbrook and South Side will attempt to prevent.