Thankful...

The 2025 season officially came to an end as the girls competed at the Nike Northeast Regional Championship for just the fourth time in school history. Tub Gator Nation grew a little larger this year as we brought a record number of athletes to compete in both the Open Northeast Race and the Championship Race. The girls headed up Friday after lunch for a course preview before settling into the hotel, where our parents organized a wonderful pre-meet dinner.

The next morning brought rain, but fortunately it cleared just in time for the races. The Open Northeast Race went off first. The course was muddy in spots, but our girls fought through. Freshman Lilly Hazlett led the way in 23:21 on the challenging Bowdoin layout. Ella Holloway and Sonal Patel crossed together in 23:37, followed by Chloe Burdette dipping under 24 with a 23:59. Alexa Butler rounded out our scoring five in 24:27. The team finished 19th, averaging 23:48 with a 1–5 spread of 1:06.

The final race of the day was the Northeast Championship Race. The course was still muddy in places, and with 31 teams and 263 athletes, the field was stacked. Whether the cancellation and eventual revival of Foot Locker—now Brooks XC Nationals in Boston—had an impact on the fields, I’m not sure, but it certainly felt like one of the deepest years. Bowdoin is also notoriously difficult to spectate with its layout and elevation changes.

Alyssa Suriano capped off an outstanding first year of XC with a 19:18, the fastest time ever recorded by a Cherokee athlete at Bowdoin, placing 42nd (28th scoring). Erin Healy followed with a strong 19:55 (#7 all-time) for 93rd (64th scoring). Maddie Meder ran 20:01 for 99th (68th scoring). Sofia Recinto (20:10, #8 all-time) and Maya Kumar (20:12, #9 all-time) closed out our top five, placing 111th and 115th overall—76th and 79th for scoring purposes. Freshman Ava Guarini ran 21:26 as our sixth, and Gabby Urban finished in 22:19.

The team placed 12th out of 31 teams, 5th from New Jersey, and 2nd from South Jersey. What’s even more impressive is that it was the best team performance we have ever had at Bowdoin. The breakdown speaks for itself:

Bowdoin Park Historical Team Performances

• 2021 – 1st place | 20:05 avg | 56.9 spread

• 2023 – 9th place | 20:42 avg | 2:48 spread

• 2024 – 9th place | 20:18 avg | 1:56 spread

• 2025 – 12th place | 19:55 avg | 53.7 spread

  
  

One of our themes this year was simple: Give me the best YOU that you have today. And that’s exactly what they did. Distance running is not an easy sport—more mental than physical at times. Through the ups and downs, the highs and lows, each athlete is at a different point in their journey. I’m grateful to all of them for allowing me to be part of that journey.

As we enter the holiday season, beginning with Thanksgiving, I can’t help but reflect on the impact these girls have had on me over the years. I am truly blessed to be part of such a special program. The end of every season is always difficult in its own way. For seniors, it marks their final races as Cherokee athletes—at least in cross country. For freshmen, it marks the end of the beginning of their journey. And the break in between is often the hardest for everyone, but it’s necessary. The athletes need it, and the coaches need it. I told the girls this week that sometimes I wish I could just Irish goodbye the end of every season.

Next up is the 2025–26 indoor season, but first, a much-needed break to rest and recharge.

Lastly, I am thankful for a wife and family who allow me to do what I love and support everything that happens behind the scenes; for the athletes who make coming to practice the highlight of every day; for the parents whose support means everything; and for our Alumni Association, which continues to provide our athletes with incredible opportunities and lifelong memories. I hope everyone enjoys Thanksgiving and especially the time that they get to share with family and friends.