The Massapequa Girls Cross Country Team recently completed an outstanding season under the leadership of first-year coach Dennis McLoughlin. In a sport where every second counts, each runner trained long and hard to achieve her personal best, which ultimately created this successful team.

At the 19th Annual Cross Country Awards Dinner, held Nov. 29 at the Coral House, the following awards were presented to five of the team's fastest runners: Kathryn Carpenter-All Conference and All Division, Vicki Belegrianos-All Division, Jenn Bricke-All Division, Christina Totino-All Divison, and Allison DeLuca-All Division.

The Varsity Squad, which had no returning seniors, was comprised of: Captains Vicki Belegrianos and Christina Totino, Jenn Bricke, Kathryn Carpenter, Jenna DeMayo, Tobie Langsam and Allison DeLuca. Mary Kate Hahn, Meredith Maus and Jessica Atwood were tremendous contributers to both Varsity and JV teams throughout the season. The JV Squad, who did an amazing job this season, was composed of Eva Sergovich, Heather Baird, newcomers Jessica Feifer, Meghan McCann, Gina Spaccarelli and Kristen Dini.

On Oct. 13, many of the chief runners received medals for their performances at the arduous course of Van Cortlandt Park, including sophomore Allison DeLuca and freshman Gina Spaccarelli.

On Oct. 27, the Conference Championship was held at Bethpage State Park. Kathryn Carpenter came in 9th place (20:56), followed by Christina Totino in 18th place (22:03), Vicki Belegrianos in 25th place (22:29), and Jenn Bricke in 29th place (22:34).

On Oct. 29, sophomore Meredith Maus ran an impressive personal best of 24:18 at Bethpage State Park Freshman/Sophomore race.

In spite of a season fraught with injuries, veteran runners Tobie Langsom and Jenna DeMayo ran an impressive season best of 24:33 and 23:40 respectively. Sophomore Kristen Dini was also sidelined by injury.

Junior Jessica Feifer was named Most Improved Player, and Junior Kathryn Carpenter was named Most Valuable Player.

With a full team returning in the fall, the runners have already begun training for an even more rewarding season in 2002. Coach McLoughlin looks forward to building on the successes this young team has already achieved this season.