Cross Country

The Suffield girls’ cross-country team is a program that is dedicated to developing each individual as a runner and athlete. The coaching staff firmly believes that hard work, a positive attitude, and a desire to improve are key assets to a successful season.

For every practice, workout, and race, athletes are given individualized, personal goals to meet. The runner emerges from each workout with a genuine sense of accomplishment. Whether the athlete is the number one runner, or in the middle of the pack, what matters is improvement and effort. We firmly believe that every student athlete can succeed as a runner.

The hard work that the runners have dedicated to their training both in and out of season has resulted in outstanding success. We consistently score high at dual and invitational meets and most recently, we have been undefeated in dual meets. The team is full of athletes who enjoy the sport and put forth their best effort in every practice and race.

The goal of the Suffield Academy boys’ cross country team is to develop each individual as a runner and athlete. The lessons that a teenager learns in running such as perseverance, hard work, positive attitude, resilience, and teamwork are very important characteristics that will hopefully help each teenager become productive adults. Running is also a foundation necessary for most other sports and encourages lifelong healthy habits.

Everyone on the team is important. At practices, we expect each runner to be committed to working hard, having fun, maintaining a positive attitude, encouraging teammates, striving for excellence, and to always be respectful and kind. The Suffield Academy boys’ cross country team competes in the New England Prep School Track Association. Each week, the team races in a dual, tri, or quad meet against a variety of NEPSAC programs. The boys also have the opportunity to compete in two to three large invitationals throughout the season and end the season racing at the NEPSTA Division II Championship.

Suffield has a strong team history in cross country. Since 2006, Suffield has finished fourth at the NEPSTA Division II Championship. In 2009 Suffield finished second, only one point behind the winning team. In Suffield’s more recent history, the Tigers have consecutively scored in the top ten at the NEPSTA Division II Championship since 2015.