Thanks in part to dominant performances by its top three runners–senior captains Thomas Amato and Preston Gumann and junior Kennan Byers–the RHS Boys Cross-Country team finished the regular season with an impressive 5-1 record and No. 14 ranking in New Jersey.
“All three of these runners are capable of giving a top finish or winning in any race they toe the line for,” Head Coach Nicholas Albanito said.
Thomas Amato
Amato immediately established himself as the top runner on the team at the first meet of the season, the Roxbury Invitational, where he finished in third place with a time of 15:48. At the second meet held at Greystone Park, Amato clocked in at 15:46, earning him first place.
The boys set a school record at the Greystone course, creating early-season momentum. “These are my best achievements of the season so far,” Amato said. “But this is only the beginning.”
Amato faced challenges later in the season when he was unable to run for two weeks due to a foot injury. As the team shifted its focus to the championship season ahead, however, Amato was on the mend and hoped to contribute as much as he could while focusing on becoming healthy again.
Preston Gumann
Co-captain Gumann triumphantly opened his season with a seventh-place finish at the Roxbury Invitational. He also ran a swift time of 15:59 in a 5k at Greystone, accomplishing a top-five finish. His time was part of a 15:56 three-man average, the fastest in RHS history.
Gumann further won the Boys Varsity C Race at the Shore Coaches Invitational and aided the team at Bowdoin Park in earning sixth overall among top teams in the Northeast. “I am looking forward to running fast and competing for the win at the upcoming meets, as we all have the shared goal of taking as many titles as possible,” Gumann said.
Kennan Byers
The seniors of the Cross-Country team are not the only athletes who found early success this season. Byers, who’s a junior, also made major contributions by setting new school records.
At the Roxbury Invitational, Byers ended in the top 15. The following week at Greystone, Byers ran a 16:01 5k. He contributed to the five-man 5k average with a time of 16:36, the second fastest in RHS history.
“We have one of the best trios in the state, and it’s really special to be able to have training partners of such close ability,” Byers said.
The ‘Big Three’
“Our coach and team would call us the ‘big three’ as a joke,” added Byers, “but that saying has really started to materialize, and I feel we are starting to get our names out there, not only individually but as a team.”
Albanito noted that the successful trio has also positively impacted the rest of the squad: “They show the younger and new team members that if you put in the time, miles and effort, you can be successful.” This proves that not all success comes from the physical race but also from the team members’ connections and chemistry.
Led by this high-achieving trio, the team now looks to go far in the state bracket with weekly championship meets until the end of the season. These include the NJAC Large Schools Championship, Morris County Championship, North 1 Group 3 Championship, Group 3 Championship and Meet of Champions.
The boys next look to defend their state sectional title on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Garret Mountain, along with fighting for the Group 3 state title on Nov. 9 at Holmdel Park.
