This season, Palisades’ cross country team has a new look and a new coach.
For the first time in five years, generation runner Thomas Smigo will not be claiming a postseason crown on the league, district or state level, as he is running at Lehigh University. Smigo won four league and district championships and two state titles.
Longtime head coach Scott Antoni, who also coaches the track team, decided to forego his cross country duties to spend more time with his family.
So, enter some returning runners and some new faces, as well as a new head coach.
Todd Kellman, who was an assistant coach for the past 13, has taken over the reins for the Pirates.
For Kellman, it was a natural progression after working with Antoni.
“I learned a lot from him,” stated Kellman. “He really had a good rapport with the kids, and that was a big reason why the program was successful. He showed me how to work on technique and form and how to work with each athlete.
“It was easy to step into the position.”
Without Smigo, Kellman understands how the dynamic of the team has changed. There are seven freshmen on the boys team this fall. Sophomore Aidan Corcoran is the elder statesman on the team, and he finished 41st at districts last season. He was 83rd at the season-opening Moravian Academy Lions’ Invitational in 21:15, two spots behind freshman Caleb Diaz, who was 81st in 21:04
“Aidan has worked hard and made progress,” said Kellman. “It’s tough to point out my freshmen because they all work well together. They have been running together, and it has paid off for them. There were some nerves at the beginning of the race, but they quickly got over them.”
On the girls side, senior Giada Smith, who was 11th at districts last season and did advance to the state meet, is the lone senior on the team and has enjoyed the experience. Smith finished 44th at the Lions Invitational (24.29). Junior Brooke Brzezicki is the only other upperclassmen. Kellman also is optimistic about a group of seven sophomores.
“So far, it has been great,” said Smith. ‘It has allowed me to connect with my younger teammates. Since most of the team is younger, I think the team can grow throughout the season, and it can lead to a great team throughout the next few years.”
However, Smith is fairly new to the sport, running only for her second year. She is looking forward to the end of the season.
“I am still pretty new to the sport, but I have been able to experience a lot in a short period of time,” she said. “I feel like that has put me in a good place at this point for my last year of high school running. I feel like I am on track to peak at the right time this season, and everyone on the team is putting in all the work for everyone to peak when the time is right.”
One of the keys for the Pirates’ program has been their middle school program under Lea Becker, who also will assist the varsity program. At the Lions’ Invitational, middle school runner Paige Davis was 18th (11.52) and fellow runner Kevin Olmstead was 20th (10:32) on the 2,900-meter course.
“We do have a good feeder program,” noted Kellman. “It’s a huge plus and a big connection.
“We like what we have seen so far, and they will get better as the season goes along.”
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