Fords cross country is seeking its first EA Day victory since 2018, when they narrowly defeated EA 27-29. So far this season, the Fords have fallen short against Episcopal Academy: at September’s opening Inter-Ac meet, 49 to 15. At the more recent Inter-Ac Championship, the Fords finished fourth with 99 points to EA’s winning 31.
The cross-country program has focused on young talent. Fourth Formers Colin Park and Munashe Kachidza have led the Fords competitively. At the Inter-Ac Championships, Park finished 12th with a 17:57 5K, while Kachidza finished 14th with an 18:06 5K.
“They’ve worked their butts off to get there,” Lentz said. “It’s a huge accomplishment.”
This year, the Sixth Form captains have worked to support these flourishing younger runners by instilling a strong team culture. Sixth Form captains Raymond Kresge and Lucas Crutchlow described how their leadership styles help them support their teammates.
“We see various needs in the team, and we cater to those needs,” Kresge said.
Kresge recalled helping a teammate who was struggling with running recognize his potential.
“I kept telling him that once we finish this, you’re gonna have done something that you thought you never would have been able to do,” Kresge said.
Crutchlow focuses on bringing the team together.
“I’m trying to bring everyone into the central part of the team where everyone gets to know each other,” Crutchlow said.
Lentz has been working on encouraging teammates during races at PAISAA; he described cheering Kresge on as he was running past him.
“I ran past Ray, and I was like, ‘Let’s go, Ray!’ And I helped push him up the parachute,” Lentz said. “Parachute Hill” is a notorious section on the PAISAA’s Belmont Hill course.
Lentz recalled seeing runners running together at PAISAA, something he emphasized to the younger runners at the beginning of the season.
“In the JV race, a bunch of them ended up finishing up front,” Lentz said. “They were all packed together.”
“I’m really sad to be leaving. This team’s given me so much.”
Ray Kresge’ 27
Looking forward to EA Day, Kresge emphasized the importance of learning how to control the race as a lesson from his earlier competition against EA.
“We learned how to pace, and I think most importantly, we learned that we can do it,” Kresge said. “We can keep up with these guys.”
For Kresge, his final EA Day is also sentimental.
“I’m really sad to be leaving,” Kresge said. “This team’s given me so much.”
With EA Day approaching, Crutchlow emphasized the team’s commitment to giving its full effort.
“We may not win every race, but we work as hard as we can,” Crutchlow said.
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