Lansing cross country shines in postseason

There are plenty of new faces seen throughout both Lansing cross country teams. Of the 31 total varsity runners, 18 are in their first season. While a lot of the personnel has changed, one thing remains the same: postseason success.

Starting with the IAC Championship on October 30 at Marathon, the boys team finished runner-up with Trent Thibault taking first place. The girls team earned a fifth-place finish with Evelyn Jackson leading the way in sixth.

Then at the Section IV Class C Championship on November 6 at Chenango Valley State Park, Thibault came out on top yet again to guide the Bobcats to a third-place finish. The girls team also placed third with Jackson earning the bronze medal.

Thibault and Jackson have both guided larger and younger teams, and second-year head coach Mia Cote credited modified coach Meghan McVey for helping increase participation in the sport and getting them prepared for the varsity level.

“What Coach McVey does at the modified level, they felt inspired,” Cote said. “They wanted to be part of varsity. Having them come up has been great for our team. Sometimes you get lucky as a coach. You have a big cohort that loves the sport you’re coaching… I personally think we have a good reputation. People see people enjoying cross country, so they might not do a sport in the fall, and they want to try cross country out, because our team is very close knit.”

It’s no surprise to see Thibault at the top of the charts. The senior captured his third career IAC and sectional titles this fall and is hoping to reach the podium at the state championships on November 15 in Queensbury. Not only has he continued to grow as a runner, his leadership on such a young team has also flourished.

“He’s been a great role model to all his teammates,” Cote said. “A lot of them look up to him, and he’s taken charge… It’s been great to see him bond with the team more, and he’s also just having fun, which is great. He trusts his training… His hard work is paying off. His teammates appreciate his sportsmanship and leadership, and it’s been fun to see the past two years I’ve been his head coach.”

Like Thibault, Jackson is a team captain and has continued to excel in her third year on varsity. Cote has also been impressed by the junior’s ability to take charge with a positive mindset.

“She’s very sincere with how she approaches her teammates and supports them and cheers them on,” Cote said. “A lot of people look up to Evie not only because she’s fast, but she is a very caring teammate… She doesn’t care about how fast the team is. She cares about if everyone’s having fun and pushing themselves to be better. She’s a force to be reckoned with.”

When it comes to all the newcomers, look no further than the Sternberg triplets to see how bright the future is for the Bobcats. The lone triplet on the boys team is Sammy. The freshman finished in ninth place at IACs and placed 12th at sectionals. Cote sees plenty of similarities between Sternberg and Thibault, which can only mean great things ahead in his career.

“He’s an energizer bunny,” Cote said. “He could go forever, just like Trent. I know Sammy talks very highly of Trent and really looks up to him. Sammy has a ton of potential. It’s his first year, so it’s going to come with experience and getting stronger to help him get faster, but he has a lot of potential, and I’m excited for him and his cohort of teammates as well.”

On the girls team, Melody and Brittany complete the Sternberg trifecta. Melody in particular has mightily impressed, placing in the top 20 at IACs before dazzling at sectionals with a sixth-place finish to qualify for states. Brittany placed in the top 30 in both races.

“Melody’s put in so much work and effort into this season,” Cote said. “I have seen huge growth from the beginning to now. It’s great to see that her work that she put in all season has finally paid off, and it’s very inspirational to the underclassmen. Sometimes they don’t think they have a chance at making states, and it just goes to show it depends on a new day and a new course, and if you have the right mindset and put the training in, you can achieve anything. I’m very proud of her.”

As Thibault, Jackson, and Melody Sternberg get set for their trip to Queensbury, expect more Bobcats to compete at the state level in the coming years.

“Even though our teams are performing really well, they still need that experience [to] grow into their bodies and get stronger,” Cote said. “I think they’re going to be really good by their junior and senior year, hopefully… I’m excited for what Lansing cross country has in the future.”