Article by Phoenix writer Sophia Venturino ’26:
On September 17, the Kellenberg Girls Cross Country team ran to an impressive victory at the Regis Invitational Varsity A Race.
In winning the title, the team upended New Jersey powerhouse Morris Hills, Notre Dame Academy of Manhattan, and fourteen other teams.
Runners Kelsey Nichols, Michaela Dennean, Cecilia Kane, Ryleigh Nasso, and Shannon Pulis all placed in the top 21 to secure the victory. Riley Fallon and Ella-Jane Darcy were top placers in the JV race.
The freshman division of the Girls Cross Country team won their own victory four days later at the Sunken Meadow NSCHSGAA quadrangular meet, beating out St. John the Baptist, Our Lady of Mercy, and St. Mary’s. Runners Jessica Estrella, Harper Lollo, Kelly Pulis, Mariella Wenerski, and Rita DiMaio all ran to their personal bests and brought home a win for Kellenberg.
As a first time runner, Mariella Wenersky expressed her enjoyment as a part of Kellenberg’s Cross Country team. She shared, “This is my first time doing cross country and it is definitely worth the experience.”
Coach Brown was eager to express his fondness and pride of the team’s recent victories, sharing that the team has “worked hard over the summer and they continue to work hard.” He added, “We have a core group of driven young women who work so great together.”
The team is looking forward to continuing this momentum for the rest of the season, beginning with their meet this Wednesday, October 4th against Sacred Heart Academy and St. Dominic’s.
