Boys Cross Country ‘Brotherhood’ Celebrates Another Great Season
The varsity team sweats it out as they approach the finish line at the City Championship at Van Cortlandt Park. Photos: Dennis Gephardt and Emmanuel Roseman
By AMALIA LEBOWITSCH and ELISE BADMAEV
Boys Cross Country celebrated another successful season, with their varsity team placing third in the Brooklyn Borough Championships and their junior varsity squad placing second.
Manuel Lozano-Velez ‘23, an Argus staff member and the team co-captain, came in 23rd in the final 5K on November 5 in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx with a time of 18:11, qualifying him for the state championship.
At the Brooklyn Borough Championship on October 22, the boys won two trophies: one for Varsity, which placed third, and another for Junior Varsity, which placed second.
“It was really freaking cool being able to take one of the trophies home,” said Lozano-Velez, who became co-captain in spring 2022 after the previous captain got injured and had to step down.
“I always want to make sure no one is left behind,” he said. “We all encourage each other to finish our workouts and compete, even during practice.”
Although Lozano-Velez is starting to feel melancholy about leaving the team after his final season, he knows he is leaving it in good hands. “They'll be fine. I know Alexi [Pravich ‘24] will take charge,” he said. “But everyone needs to continue to step up their game.”
“The team dynamic was extraordinary this year,” said Pravich, who came in 52nd in the City Championship with a time of 19:38. “I’m absolutely proud of my teammates, and the team in general has such a positive energy. We constantly challenge each other and lift one another up with healthy competition.”
Pravich’s running was much improved this year. “My times are faster and my breathing is much more stable and easy,” he said.
Warner Gephardt ‘23, co-captain, was unable to finish the City Championship due to falling ill but was still able to find the positives in the season. “I would say the practices make you work harder than any other sport I’ve played in the past,” he said. “There’s moments where you’re truly just grinding to finish. However, finishing workouts and races feels as rewarding as anything.”
Beyond physical preparedness, Lozano-Velez said running is a mental game. “If your mind is weak, you're not going to be able to run, ‘cause anybody can run, but not everyone can continue running,” he said. “Being determined and committed to putting in the work and trying really hard at practice is incredibly important. If you want to improve, that's what you have to do.”
Ibrahim Abdelrasoul ‘24, who joined the junior varsity team his freshman year, ran a time of 22:08. “The team is really supportive; they’ve always made me feel like I’m at home,” he said. “We’re like a brotherhood.”
Leading that brotherhood is Mr. Marc Cohen, who is celebrating his 20th year of coaching the team.
“In cross country, the only way you're going to be successful is if your team is successful,” he said. “So if we work together, do our workouts together, and push each other, we have a chance to beat some of the top teams in the city.”