The girls varsity cross country team truly has their eye on the prize this season. The two time Babylon Bowl champions are looking even better then ever with the returning runners in shape and determined while the team recruited some fresh legs that really spark the team. 
    In the first meet at the home of cross country and the hardest course on the east coast, Sunken Meadow, the girls were a power house. Junior captain Bonnie Piscotta came in at 22:46 and Nicole Bermudez(’12) followed shortly behind her with a 22:53. Senior captain Gina Dorso came in at 24:18. The dedication was there from the start. Running the freshman race, Monika Ciecka(’15) had a time of 9:30, putting her in the top 25! Other freshman, Heather Linderman, Tierney Ruppel and Amanda Murphy also had outstanding races.
    The next dual meet against Sachem North on October 4^th, was a real tough one for the girls. The girls ran in the prime cross country weather (pouring rain), truly exhibiting the famous cross country quote, "Our sport is your sport’s punishment." Even with these conditions, girls powered through their home course. Nicole Bermudez placed third with a time of 21:43. Bonnie Piscotta placed fifth with a time of 21:56 and Gina Dorso placed eighth with a time of 22:43. The times from this meet put Nicole, Bonnie and Gina on Sachem’s Top Times list for their course. 
    "Race with the best or run with the rest" has truly been the inspirational quote behind the girls’ team. They raced the number two team in the state on Tuesday, October 11^th and came back with excellent times. Almost every single girl on the entire team had their best that day. Nicole Bermudez became the first Lindenhurst girls’ runner to break 20 minutes on the course at Belmont state park with a time of 19:58. Monika Ciecka, Kristen DePalo, Victoria Quednau, Heather Linderman and Merissa Happich all received their best times to complete the solid top seven. 
    This team has truly been working hard and they are on their way to the post season! "As the season has progressed, we are all hurting and tired but we are so motivated by each other that we are just pushing forward to reach our goals." said captain Bonnie Piscotta. Come down and watch the boys and girls race in the Babylon Bowl 5k invitational where they look to defend their title as champions on November 8^th! Good luck with the rest of the season girls!