The Saint Anthony’s girl’s cross country team is off to an outstanding start! Coming off a 2020 Championship season, they opened the 2021 season at the Jim Smith Invitational on September 11th. Both the freshman and juniors came in third place and sophomores finished in 5th at Sunken Meadow State Park. The next week, they followed up with Varsity coming in first place at the Bob Pratt Invitational. We had five of our team members finish in the top twenty, and all seven finished in the top 35, to earn a low score of 45 to win. With four big meets remaining for the season, the Friars hope to keep the momentum going at their own Saint Anthony’s Invitational on Oct.1st at Sunken Meadow State Park. 

Head Coach Olivier St. Aude plays a big role in our achievements, by giving us constant incentive to work hard, no matter the circumstances. Coach O comments, “we are off to a great start to the season under the leadership of our captains Jr. Emma Rodriguez, Jr. Kiera Udell, and Sr. Erin Boyd. They have been great with the underclassmen and showing them the Friar way. Emma and Kiera bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm that the girls don’t have a choice but to join in on and Erin is great with embracing any new girls and making them feel at home. I am so proud to be their coach. We, as coaches, love seeing the girls enjoy practice and the meets. Please come out and support the team at the next meet.” 

Our team has several major runners that contribute to our success: Jr. Lauren Matyka, Jr. Blair Davi, Fr. Annalise Olsen, Fr. Olivia Czoch, and So. Kate Mcconnachie. Every year, our school hosts the Saint Anthony’s Invitational, where public and private schools from all over Long Island come out to compete. This year is the 50th anniversary of the Invitational and it will surely be exciting as we run against some of Long Islands’ top distance schools such as Northport and Ward Melville. 

We will follow this big meet up with the nationally known, Manhattan Invitational, that pre covid, would draw schools as far as California, Ohio, Main and the South. Our young varsity squad is excited to be part of this meet for the first time as varsity runners. After this meet, the girls can look forward to Intersectionals and New York State Federation Championships, where Notre Dame is our biggest league competition. We will enter our championship season looking to defend our NSCHSAA League and CHSAA State titles. 

BY: Kiera Udell is a junior at St. Anthony’s High School, writing for her first year at Friar Scoreboard. Currently a captain of the cross country, winter track, and spring track teams. She is also a member of NHS, SALT, Friar Faithful, Special Needs Ministry, and Triathlon Club. She also plays the flute and piccolo.

BY: Emma Rodriguez is a junior at Saint Anthony’s who is writing for the Scoreboard for the first time. Captain of the girl’s cross country, winter track, and spring track team. member of NHS, SALT, Friar Faithful, Special Needs Ministry, Soup Kitchen Club, and Triathlon Club and plays the piano