The Rhinebeck High School cross-country teams are on course to improve each day, and use regular-season meets to prepare for the Mid-Hudson Athletic League and Section IX championship meets.
The boys have three senior captains – Landon Williams, Alex Aierstok and Gabe Renaldo – and sophomore Augie Lamm leading the way.
“We’ll keep working hard at practice and stick to the game plan,” said Rhinebeck coach Erik Thomas. “You want to be running your best time in the postseason, so the regular season is a constant tune-up of trying to make sure you’re running your best time as the season goes on. When MHALs and sectionals come around, you’re peaking.”
Lamm was the team’s top finisher at an invitational hosted by Mount Academy and a dual meet at Millbrook. Rhinebeck defeated Millbrook, 27-29, in its first dual meet.
Lamm was Rhinebeck’s top finisher at the 2024 sectional meet, placing 14th.
“I would like to qualify for states. I have to lock-in and do well,” said Lamm.
The Hawks are hoping to qualify some runners for the state meet and contend for the team title at sectionals.
“The main goal is to win sectionals and go to states. We’ll need a lot of motivation and effort to get there,” said Williams.
The Hawks all feel they are better now than they were at the start of the 2024 season.
“The team has a lot of potential, but if we don’t keep working our hardest in practices, we won’t be able to evolve,” said Aierstok.
The girls have two freshman runners -- Alex Inteeworn and Syndey Anchin -- and are unable to score as a team at meets, which requires five runners. Inteeworn placed 32nd at Mount Academy and won the season opening dual meet at Millbrook.
Rhinebeck is hosting meets on Sept. 25 against Rondout Valley and Spackenkill, and on Oct. 8 versus Ellenville and Mount Academy. The MHAL championships are in Milton on Oct. 30 and the Section IX meet is in Warwick on Nov. 4.
“We’re still in the early stages,” said Renaldo. “There is a lot of work to do. I think that work can be done with more practice.”