The morning sun, a persistent and unrelenting heat lamp, beats down on the track at East Aurora High School. It’s a familiar feeling. The kind of oppressive summer warmth that reminds a runner of the task ahead.
The sweat beads on the foreheads of the East Aurora boys cross country runners. The reigning two-time New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s Class C boys state champions are back at it for another title defense. They’ve tasted the sweet, elusive flavor of victory and they want another bite. Now they’re chasing history.
“It was pretty special,” said sophomore Max Fraser, a grin spreading across his face. “I know back-to-back has happened in the school’s history, but this year we’re going for something that’s never happened, and that’s three state titles in a row. That’s really important to us to try and get it done.”
The thought of a three-peat hangs in the air and is a conversation topic among the runners. It drives them, fuels them and gets them out of bed for those grueling practices.
“We talk about it a good amount,” Fraser said. “We go into it being confident, but we don’t want to be arrogant about it. We know we put in the work to get to that. We don’t want to be too cocky, but we think we have a pretty good shot.”
The confidence isn’t born of a flippant attitude. It’s forged through discipline and hard work. It’s built on a foundation of trusting the process and believing in their coaches, Walt and Marty McLaughlin.
“The season has gone pretty well for us,” said PJ Hulme. “We’ve experienced some success through the first few meets, but we know there’s plenty of work to do for us to reach our potential. We’re happy with our performances, but we’re looking for what’s to come.”
Hulme understands what makes this program tick. He points to the coaches as the source of their success, a starting point that trickles down to the athletes.
“We’re taught discipline and work ethic and team chemistry, and when you put those things together, you experience success,” Hulme said. “We have the confidence to repeat that process and trust our coaches and training plan and rely on each other. We’re ready for another season of success, hopefully.”
The team is a collection of talented individuals, but their strength lies in their unity. They’re more than a group of runners; they’re a brotherhood. They push each other, hold each other accountable and genuinely enjoy each other’s company.
“Our team is really good about keeping each other on target for what we’re supposed to do,” said senior Luke Wright. “We kept each other motivated and did summer practice almost every day. We all did our weekend runs. We have guys dedicated to the sport, and we want to come back this year and do it again.”
The bond extends beyond the track and the trails. It’s a connection that helps them perform at their best.
“We definitely have a good time together, and that helps us performing,” Fraser says. “We all hang out on the weekends, have a good time, and our bond helps on the course. We help each other race faster.”
The coaching staff isn’t just focused on winning races. They’re building a culture of hard work, accountability and community. It’s something the athletes recognize and appreciate.
“Our coaches and booster club make this program special,” Wright said. “They do a lot to make sure we have spaghetti dinners and our team is funded through fundraisers. The community we have helps us be a close-knit group. We have such a great culture, and I’ll always look back at this time because of how great it’s been and I’ll always cherish it.”
The task ahead won’t be easy. The East Aurora runners know. They understand past success doesn’t guarantee future victories.
“One thing we talk about is not getting too cocky,” Wright said. “It starts with training every day because no race is easy. We need to work our best to win every race. It’s important we do our best every day.”
Walt McLaughlin is well aware of his group’s talent and what it takes to make a run toward history.
“They’re a fantastic group of young athletes who are working together and seeing the bigger picture,” he said. “They’re a special group and really did their homework this summer.”
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Clevis Murray
Sports Reporter
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