West Genesee Cross-Country

Season Reviews

2007

State Honors

State Championship Qualifiers: Steve Houghmaster

Girls Team: #17 State Rank - Class AA

Sectional Honors

All CNY - 1st Team: Steve Houghmaster

All CNY - 3rd Team: Colleen Smith

Sectional Champion: Steve Houghmaster

League Honors

All CNYCL - 1st Team: Steve Houghmaster

All CNYCL - 2nd Team: Billy Gabriel/Tom Hopkins/Colleen Smith/Katie Rothenberg/Sarah Kibby

League Competition

Boys League Dual-meet Record: 6-2(2nd place)

Girls League Dual-meet Record: 6-2(2nd place)

Team Awards 

Wildcat Scholarships: Sarah Kibby/Katie Rothenberg

Senior Awards(3 years of XC): Steve Pietruniak/Ben Siegal/Garrett Smith/Sarah Kibby/Katie Naton/Katie Rothenberg

First and foremost I would like to thank some people in attendance tonight. First I would like to thank Coach Vermeulen and Coach Delsole for allowing me to come onto this team this summer. I’m sure that they were wondering what they were getting themselves into when they let a baseball player join the cross country team for his senior year, but I think it worked out very well. Secondly I would like to thank the parents. Specifically, I would like to thank my parents for all of their support and encouragement throughout this season. I would also like to thank the Reedy’s and the Rotella’s. I thank them because I have never eaten so well in my life while participating in an athletic event. Currently, I am trying to sign them on to do the baseball games but it is not working out to well. Lastly, I would like to thank my fellow teammates, specifically the seniors for all of their support and guidance throughout the season.

Now, since I was only on this team for one year I would like to talk to the underclassmen who are returning next year. I would like to tell the story of the lion and the gazelle. Every morning the gazelle awakens knowing that it will have to run faster than the fastest lion so it will not be eaten. The lion awakens every morning knowing that it will have to run faster than the slowest gazelle so it will not die of starvation. Both awaken knowing that they will have to run for their lives. I interpreted this story as following. The lion is symbolic of us awakening and chasing after our dreams. Your dream for next year is the Sectional Championship. Once you reach the specific goal you set for yourself you should always set a new goal to chase after. You should be chasing your goals for all of your life. The gazelle represents survival and in relation to your goals it represents that someone is always chasing after the same goals that you are. Next year there are going to be other teams chasing that Sectional Championship along with you. You are going to realize that in order to win Sectionals you must fend off these opponents. You must worker harder and be more determined than all of your opponents. Whenever someone is chasing the same dream you are chasing you have to work harder than them and when it comes down to crunch time you have to have more heart than your competitor, so you know that there will be no doubt in people’s mind who the real champion will be.

So as the sun sets on the 2007 season and this summer when the sun rises on the 2008 season I want you to run for your lives. I want you to run with the determination and pride of a lion, with the survival of the gazelle, and I want you to run with the attitude of a champion in your quest for a Sectional title.

Hello. My name is Sarah Kibby and this year I was a captain for the girls team. To start this whole speech thing off, I wanted to thank everyone on the team, but especially the girls. The main reason that I did cross country was because I loved the girls. They felt like sisters to me, and kept me going through the good and the bad., and oh, were there some bad times! Times that I felt I wanted to give up, I wanted to quit because I felt I couldn’t do it anymore, they were there. I feel that cross country not only changed my out look on life but it showed me what I can do when I push myself to new limits. It gave me great running partners, but even more, gave me great friends. As much as I do not want to admit it, I think some of the credit for where I am now should go to both of the coaches sitting up here--Coach Vermeulen and Coach Delsole.

These two men are almost like father figures to me because I see them so much. They brought many emotions including angry, frustration, guilt, sadness, defeat, happiness, accomplishment, fulfillment and hope. They have been there training me, training us to be the best regardless of emotion, making the impossible possible. They have been there to bring us up when we were down and knock us down when we were up. They have been there with their corny jokes and smart remarks. We have survived through pretty much everything.

I remember when Coach Delsole first arrived to coach the team. I thought to myself, "He’s not gonna boss me around like he is my coach. V. is my coach." Oh, how that changed. I got bossed around, knocked down, and yelled at. Dell was the coach that you could make jokes about, and wouldn’t get so much of a death stare back, as commonly occurred with Coach V. I would have to personally thank Dell for making my season so much better with the battles of smart remarks that we had everyday. Dell trying to burn me with a joke and it not working always made my day.

Coach Vermeulen, most would say, is the toughest coach out of the both of them. With his statue face, you couldn’t tell if he was joking or being serious. His mouth, covered by the famous mustache, would leave you clueless to his emotions. After my four years with V. I think I have finally figured out the mystery to this man. He is someone that knows the highest cloud that you can reach, and how to get you there. He will show you how to run with hate, to run with love, to flat out just run. He will tell you when it will rain, and will be right. Coach V can be tough, rough, loud, and bossy. But he can also be kind and there for you when you feel that you couldn’t have let the team down anymore than you have. He will be there when you have run your heart out and still came in second. He’ll be there when you are throwing up. He will be there period. I want to thank you personally V. for being there for me, in all my four years as a runner. You have been a big part of my life and I am proud to say that.

This year especially, I found out what it meant to be a true leader by caring for everyone on the team, and speaking up for the team when it was necessary. The team made this year the best out of all four years for me. Watching people excel to newer, higher levels was a great experience. Cheering the 10 different chants we had together was fantastic. Just being together made things so much more exciting,

As I look out on to the crowd I see this great team in front of me. There are older kids and there are younger kids, there are kids that are right in the middle. You have those that are out-going, those that are dorky, those that ask too many questions. You have people that run for the enjoyment and those that run for competition. There are people who are in the band, in other sports, in math league, and other various things. No matter what type of person you are, you are always a runner when you come to practice. You are accepted and befriended. I love every single person for that, accepting others who are nothing like you. Creating one big breed of runners, of dorks.

Thank you to all the runners, all the parents for being so supportive, and the coaches. It has been a great season and I hope next year will be even better!

Thank you.

2008

NYS Federation Championship Honors

Boys Team: 16th place

Steve Houghmaster: Medalist - 12th place

State Honors

State Championship Qualifier: Steve Houghmaster

Boys Team: #10 State Rank - Class AA

Sectional Honors

All CNY - 1st Team: Steve Houghmaster

All CNY - 3rd Team: Tom Hopkins

Boys Team Finish: 3rd(Merge: 3rd)

Girls Team Finish: 4th(Merge: 5th)

League Honors

All-League 1st Team: Steve Houghmaster/Tom Hopkins

All-League 2nd Team: Billy Gabriel/Katie Bott/Colleen Smith

 Alex Incaudo/Kristin Waters

All-League Honorable Mention: Sam Reedy

All-Division 1st Team: Steve Houghmaster/Billy Gabriel/Tom Hopkins

Katie Bott/Alex Incaudo/Colleen Smith

All Division 2nd Team: Andy Incaudo/Sam Reedy/Kristin Waters

League Competition

Boys League Dual-meet Record: 4-1(2nd place)

Girls League Dual-meet Record: 2-3(4th place)

Team Awards 

Wildcat Scholarships: Colleen Smith/Jon Richardson

Senior Awards(2+ years of XC): Amanda Brown/Brittan Ellis/Rachel Hefti/Molly Hollenbeck/Kayla Murphy/Kathleen O'Meara/Colleen Smith/kristin Waters/Pete Brogan/Tom Hopkins/Andy Incaudo/Zac Karpinski

Jon Richardson/Ron Ta/Dave Wells

  Jon Richardson, Class of 2009: I would like to start off the evening thanking everyone here for coming tonight:  The athletes for coming out on a school night to spend one last evening with their teammates, the custodial and cafeteria staff for setting up such a lovely event for all of us to enjoy, our special guests who took time out of their very busy schedules to come celebrate with us--and of course the parents. We all should appreciate the hard work they commit out of their personal time to make out season easier and more enjoyable. Every one of these people I mentioned contributed to part of the four amazing years I have had running cross country at West Genesee. Right now, I appreciate all of you more than ever.

          I would like to say the special things about the senior class of 2009. On the girls side they are a group of incredible individuals that influenced the success of the team in so many ways since they have been here. Now on the boys’ side it’s a pretty different story. My class would have to be the turning point in the team for many years to come. We were the end of the goofy ‘frozen treats’ era and the beginning of increased summer mileage, a state-ranked team, and the first federation championship qualifying team since 1985. We were also lucky enough to undergo the transitions of course changes. Every year we have been here, our course has changed from the previous year and gotten harder. The additions included the outer field loop, the notorious dirt hill, and recently the infamous inner-field loop. These changes can be seen as a metaphor for the boys’ team. Every year the training and talent on the team increased just as the intensity and difficulty of the course did. It’s not necessarily because the coaches decided we need more torture every year; it’s because of the dedication and commitment to the team got stronger. The people who ran with me my freshman year, compared to the people now, would be considered extremely lazy and undedicated. Now, they worked out properly and raced hard, but this large and talented group of boys sitting before me certainly worked to their highest potential, and this unique and incredible season proved that.

          Everyone can agree that this season was one of the best this boys’ team has every seen. Let’s see, we dominated the VVS invitational, won Chittenango, had of our top five scorers run times in the Top-25 West Genesee times at McQuaid, placed third in our race at Manhattan, swept all three races we were entered in at Marathon due to outstanding performances from the underclassmen and Junior Varsity, had beaten every team in our league in at least one race in our season, had the 2^nd best team cumulative time at sectionals and the 2^nd best team place in school history, and the obvious thing this year, we became only the second team ever in West Genesee history to qualify for the New York State Federation Championship. All these accomplishments couldn’t have happened without all these hard-working athletes and also the help and guidance from the two men sitting up in this front table.

          These two men I must say are the most knowledgeable and experienced men I have ever met. The experiences I have had with these men are some of the most memorable in my high school career. I’ll begin with Coach Vermuelen. The first time I met him was in Modified Outdoor Track. He would frequently watch my meets and talk to me about the options I would have in high school. Apparently, being an undefeated 200m hurdler and the team’s best high jumper made me an excellent fit for the varsity cross country team. I haven’t realized that great potential he first saw in me until my recent running seasons, but I don’t know who I would be today if he didn’t see anything. Then there’s Coach Delsole. Del wasn’t the coach every year of mine. He came in my sophomore year with an attitude determined to make us the best we possibly could be. At first, it seemed like he had expected way too much from us and all he had to say were some corny jokes, but when I look back, he influenced the work atmosphere in a positive and successful way. Today he’s a little more feared than V but he’s made some pretty funny jokes. Because of these two coaches, we would not be here celebrating a great season that is still in progress. They contributed tremendously to the accomplishments we all claim today.

          Entering the team in 2005, I would hear how immature and mediocre our team was. Now as I finish my last season, people’s opinions have changed and we are seen as a threat, some hard competition, and a team to be jealous of. Just because the seniors and I are leaving doesn’t mean it will not stay that way.

          Every single one of these boys has the drive and talent to continue the success here on the team. My advice to every one of you is this: keep working hard, run your summer mileage, listen to V and Del about everything, trust me they know what they are talking about, and encourage each other to be the best you all can be as a team.

          Freshman, you have time to work and prove yourselves, but don’t take it for granted because it goes by so fast. Sophomores, I have never seen a group with so much talent and depth ever in my running career. If you all keep it up, you are going to hurt people in the next couple of years. Juniors, be ready to lead next year. For the few of you, you have a lot of talent to lead, but you are all capable of doing it. Finally, my seniors. I wish good luck to all you girls wherever your bright and gifted futures lead you. Dave and Peter, good job leading from the back and good luck with everything else. Ian and Logan, congratulations on finishing your first cross country season; unfortunately it will be your last. Andy, you’ve been impressive every season you’ve run and congrats. Zac, indoor track starts next Wednesday buddy so be ready. I can’t wait to watch for it. Ron, all seasons and Manhattan rooms wouldn’t have been as enjoyable if you weren’t there. Finally, T-Hop. Eleven seasons running with you and finishing twelve and without you I wouldn’t have done cross country in the first place.

          As I end here tonight I would like to agree with Coach Phil Jackson when he said, “The strength of the team is each individual member... the strength of each member is the team”. Cross country is the one of the most team affiliated sports I know, and all of you wouldn’t be where you are now without your teammates. Now, when the boys and I prepare ourselves for Saturday, we are doing what is best for the team. Without the work of all us, no one would have made it this far. When I run this Saturday at my last scholastic cross country meet ever, I won’t be thinking about myself. I will out there to run for the team who I had come to care about and who, I hate to admit, I will miss so much when I leave.

          Again thank you everyone for coming tonight--and to my team, I wish you the best of luck in a future I know will be triumphant. Thank you.

  Kayla Murphy, Class of 2009: I would like to start off by thanking everyone for coming tonight. My name is Kayla Murphy and I was a senior on the team this year. The past three years at the banquet I couldn’t imagine being in the position of the seniors. It seems impossible to me that this was my last cross country season as a Wildcat. This sport and team are a very big part of my life. I never expected a sport that people don’t give enough respect to, to impact me in such a great way. I don’t know where I would be without running. Runners are unique people, and because of my coaches and teammates I have grown and learned so much. Over the years one thing I have learned is dedication. Hard work is the backbone of any cross-country team, and this team has certainly taught me not to be afraid of that. Cross-country has also helped me learn skills that will I will use for the rest of my life--for example, individually each season we take time to write down our goals, and our coaches and teammates support us in reaching them by the end. Just like on the team, in life you need to set goals and be able to be willing to work hard to achieve whatever goal you set for yourself.

To the coaches, you have always been there for me through the bad times and the good times. You are like parental figures to me, because I actually do see you more than my own parents. You can be tough, but I know you want the best for us. There would be times when I thought I never wanted to talk to you again, and then Del would say something funny, and I couldn’t help but laugh. One thing I think is amazing about V is that if he says it’s going to start raining in 7 minutes, it will start raining in 7 minutes. During stretches you would always see Del walking around with a piece of grass and putting it in someone’s ear to make them think there was a bug attacking them. I personally have fallen for that one too many times and finally, just this season, have learned to know it’s only Del and not freak out. Coach V has helped me come so far as a runner. After most races if something didn’t go right we would talk about it and figure out what went wrong. And whenever he gave you a high five or a pat on the back, you knew you’d done something right. Del is always supportive, and I loved having him on the starting line, because I would be so nervous, and then he would say something that would completely focus me and get me ready to really race. Both coaches have taught us to race with emotion, and to race for ourselves, but more importantly to run as a team. Thank you for believing in us, and training us to reach our true potential. I am so glad that you have been my coaches for the last five years, and I hope you know that you have been such a big part of my life.

I would like to thank the parents for all their support. I think the team would agree the food after every meet was amazing. All the parents who cheered on the sidelines are wonderful; you have no idea how much that helped. I would like to give Mrs. Reedy a personal thanks; you always said just the right thing to make me run just a little bit faster. I would also like to thank my parents for supporting me through all these years.

To the team, it’s very hard for me to put into words just how much you all mean to me. You guys are my family and I wouldn’t trade you for the world. Especially the girls, you always make me laugh, and are always there for me when I need you. It’s no secret that cross-country is tough, and without my girls I don’t think I could get through a season. What I’m going to miss the most about Cross-Country are the little things, like the long cramped bus rides that only we could make fun by singing Backstreet Boys, N’Sync and other really old songs, our pre-race huddles, ooga shaka, team dinners, Del’s jokes that we understand most of the time, Manhattan, the many times I laughed so hard I cried, and all of our inside jokes, like awkward palm tree and mustache that only the girls would understand. I know that I’m going to be friends with these people for the rest of my life. This season was the best yet, and I’m going to miss going to practice everyday. I know I have two more seasons of track, but track doesn’t come anywhere close to how great cross-country is. I loved every second of this season, even the days when I thought it was impossible to do one more dirt hill, or one more Bingham 800. But most of all I loved going to practice everyday, and seeing my best friends.

 I hope you guys have a great season next year. Again I cannot thank the team and coaches enough for always being there.

 Thank you.

2009

 Sam Reedy, Class of 2010: First I would like to congratulate Steve, Laura and Anna on their outstanding performances at states. You guys did awesome. Never did I think I would be part of the best boys cross country team ever to come through West Genesee. We didn’t do it like FM either; we actually had fun. For the past four years building up to this point, a lot of things happened, both good and bad. This ranges from making varsity my freshman year to missing my entire sophomore year with a stress fracture to making feds two years in a row--but over these four years, if there is one thing I learned, it’s do your summer mileage. For my first three years, everything I did wrong was because I didn’t do my summer mileage. I don’t even think I did my summer mileage this year so I would be better prepared for the season; I did it so I wouldn’t have to listen to V and Del nag me about it; it just so happened to pay off.