Somers Makes a Good Run at Bowdoin Park

See Big Red and Bowdoin Runs Below

On Saturday October 18, Somers traveled north to traverse Bowdoin State Park, and the scenic beauty was hard to miss. Aidan See, on the other hand, took a different view. "I didn't really notice it," the Tusker admitted. The hills were another matter, though.

“There were a lot of them,” he lamented but not enough to keep him from finishing 14th overall and first for Somers.

Of course, the hills weren't the only obstacle "There were a lot of fast runners,” he assured. “So you see them get ahead, and you don't want to fall behind that much.”

Motivating nonetheless, the familiarity in terms of moving forward has a similar impact. "Running here gives me an idea of what I got to work on and how to improve for the sectionals," said See.

The sectionals aren’t intended to be the end of the line either. “I want to PR and go to the states,” said the junior.

Up next was Gabriel Cacsire. “It was a good finish, but I have a lot to improve for next time.

The runner came in with a plan, and it was good enough for 18th place. “I wanted to go out a bit slower, but as soon as I got to the big hill, I started to push,” said Cacsire.

The downhill to the flat wasn’t really a respite, though. “That’s when everything is burning up, and I know I have to kick,” he said. “So I just told myself that I have to believe in myself.”

The finish line proved the point. “No one around me, I pushed as hard as I could, running as if someone was about to pass,” Cacsire clarified.

Just behind in third, Christian Lobasso had him struggling the hills like everyone else. “I try not to think about it and keep my eyes on the people ahead of me,” he said.

The finish, on the other hand, had him hearing footsteps of sorts. “I saw his shadow and sped up,” said Lobasso.

Onto the postseason, he also was looking back to keep up. “Now I have a good grasp on the course, and I know not to go out too fast,” the senior said.

In fourth for Somers, Lenny Novichenko was glad to run a preview too. “I like getting a feel for this course,” he said.

The girls taking the roadway next, Julia Duzynski felt the ground shifting. “Running on the gravel is the hardest part, because it’s moving under your feet,” she said.

No falls but she came close a couple of times. Of course, the uncertainty didn’t keep her from finishing fourth. “Bowdoin is just such a competitive race and is motivating to get you to try and run faster,” said the senior.

In contrast, she did take the opportunity to smell the roses. “The scenery was very calming,” said Duzynski.

A double take in a few weeks, the runner aims to reach the states, but the Tusker is also taking a longer view. Referring to what her four years have hopefully left behind,” Duzynski said, “I try to inspire my teammates as much as possible and push through so they do too”

On her heels, Kaya Duzynski kept it in the family. Coming in behind big sister, the example probably didn’t hurt. But in the case of the main hill, inspiration derived from an inner monologue. “I had to tell myself it would be over soon, and once it was over, I can get back on the downhill,” said the sophomore.

Not as easy as it sounds, Duzynski had a strategy. “I try to go slower on the curves, so I don’t slip. But when the downhills were straight, I went as fast as I could,” she revealed.

Knowledge she will use and add to her repertoire. “I know what my strategy will be, and where I’m going to have to kick,” said Duzynski.

As for catching her sister, she conceded - for the moment. “Maybe I can beat her in spring track but I’m not going to win in cross country,” said the younger.

In third place, Page Parker was definitely not seeing double. “That’s the thing about Somers track,” said the sophomore. “We all try to push each other and work as a team.”

Even so, she’s not bad as a solo. “I like to think of things that make me happy,” Parker said. “I get some dopamine released, so I’m not focused on how tired I am.”

A strategy was required nonetheless. “I keep my eye on the person ahead of me, because I know if I stick with them, I can eventually pass them,” said Parker.

The sight she was after, the Bowdoin scenery made it not matter. “The park makes me appreciate that I get to be outside on a Saturday, because not everyone can run and not everyone has the opportunity to come here,” she concluded the day.

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