Cross Country Wrap Up
Samo cross country is wrapping up their 2024 season as the Ocean-League Champions and historic qualifiers for the CIF Southern Section Finals. For the first time in Samo history, both the boys’ and girls’ teams qualified for CIF finals.
David Hunzicker / Contributor
The varsity girls cross country team performing their pre-race rant at the Ocean League finals.
The cross country team started their season competing in invitationals against athletes from across the state, and even nation. The league season officially kicked off on Oct. 16 at their first league meet in Ocean League at Columbia Pa where they achieved a perfect score in both the boys’ and girls’ varsity races.
On Nov. 6, the team competed at the Ocean League Finals Meet where they won the championship title with successful performances from Phoebe Benun (’25) and Landon Kozmor (’25) who earned first place in their respective races. Assistant Coach Emily Sutherland expressed her pride in the team’s achievements.
“We are so proud of this group and their accomplishments,” Sutherland said. "Especially the fact that both the men’s and women’s squad are as strong as they are, goes to show that this is an exceptional year with some really special athletes in the mix. A rising tide lifts all ships, and everyone has risen to the challenge.”
With a goal of making it to state, both the girls’ and boys’ team qualified for the CIF Finals after the girls placed third and the boys placed fourth as a team in each of their races at the CIF Prelims on Nov. 15. This marked a historic milestone for the boys’ team, making it to CIF Finals for the first time since 2013. Kozmor emphasizes on the other accomplishments made this season.
“This season we made our first CIF appearance, league individual champion, and league team champions in five years,” Kozmor said. “Also three athletes moved into the top 10 in Samo history for three miles.”
The three runners being Leo Lucente (’26), Kingsley Lin (’27) and Kozmor himself. Adding to the team’s dedicated performances, eight boys broke the 16 minute mark for three miles.
As the Samo cross country team’s season comes to an end, the athletes and coaches reflect on a year marked by significant achievements. Throughout the season, the team has demonstrated their determination as they dominated in many meets and achieved personal bests. Varsity runner Crystal Gaitan (’26) reflected on this season.
“This season was challenging for all of us but it was one of the best seasons Samohi’s cross country team has had. Both girls’ and boys’ varsity made it to CIF [Southern Section] Finals and we all worked tougher as a pack. It was so fun to run with my teammates and a privilege to run one last time with my favorite seniors that are leaving,” Gaitan said.
David Hunzicker / Contributor
[From left to right] Kinglsey Lin (’27), Emerson Hill (’26), James Faries (’26), Lev Goldstein (’27), Leo Lucente (’26), Peter Jarvis (’25), and Landon Kozmor (’25) pose before CIF finals.
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