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11/23/2016 11:00 PMKelsey D’Amico enjoys the competitive grind of a cross country meet and that passion to outpace her opponents paid huge dividends for Kelsey and the Cougars this fall.
Kelsey, a junior, started running cross country in the 5th grade and has stuck with the sport every year since. After helping HK claim a Shoreline Conference title last year, Kelsey had an even better season in 2016. Kelsey was the runner-up at the conference meet, where the Cougars defended their Shoreline title. She later made All-State by finishing seventh at the Class SS State Championship, helping HK place second as a squad. Kelsey then recorded a 17th-place performance at the State Open to qualify for the New England Championship and capped her campaign by competing at the regional meet two weeks ago.
“Cross country season is definitely not the easiest and it’s difficult to stay positive in the tougher days, but the keys to me have been our coaches. They are always there for us as role models and mentors. They help us believe in ourselves,” says Kelsey, who finished 70th in a field of 261 runners at New Englands. “It’s also not easy to achieve what I have individually, but I’m proud of how it all worked out. I put in the work over the summer starting back in June and I kept it up with my endurance and motivation every day. I also trained with my teammates every day and we had fun together and they were a huge key to our success.”
Kelsey doesn’t have one specific strategy when it comes to her travels on the trails. She just keeps a clear mind and lets the race play out before making her final stride across the tape.
“My strategy goes race to race. Every one is different. I like to start hard, but pay attention to those around me and adapt as the race goes on. No race or situation is the same,” Kelsey says. “Before a race, I keep my nerves to myself and suppress them. I just relax and believe in myself and my training, especially in the state and State Open meets.”
Kelsey knows how deep the talent pool is in the Shoreline Conference and so she was always ready for whatever came her way. Kelsey feels proud of how she earned runner-up status in such a competitive league, while powering through a little pain.
“The Shoreline is a very competitive conference and, even up until states, my legs weren’t rested. Once the race started, though, that all didn’t matter because I knew I had to be there and be focused,” says Kelsey. “I knew the competition and [first-place finisher Emily Sienna of Hale-Ray] had a fantastic race and final time. I was really happy to cross second and maintain mental toughness through it.”
HK Head Coach Matt Diglio says that Kelsey is a well-balanced leader and long-distance runner, and that’s why he was pleased to appoint Kelsey as one of this team’s captains.
“Kelsey had a terrific cross country season this fall as she continues to develop and improve as a runner. She is very goal driven and sets high standards for herself and the team,” says Diglio. “Kelsey is an extremely hard worker and that hard work paid off this season. She was one of our captains and did a terrific job leading by example and being a role model for the younger girls on the team. I am very proud of Kelsey in how she has progressed as a runner, but more importantly, how she has developed as a leader and outstanding student-athlete.”
Not only has Kelsey grown individually during her time with HK cross country, she’s also seen tremendous growth from the program as whole. As she gets ready to embark on her indoor track season—where she will run the 4x800 relay, the 1,600, and the 3,200—Kelsey is setting the bar high for what she and her team can achieve this winter.
“I love this program, the kids, and the coaches. A few years ago, the girls’ team was only six, and it has grown to about 20 now, which has improved our standing and morale. I love running with those who also love it and believe in hard work. It wouldn’t be possible without the genuine care of our coaches,” says Kelsey, who thanks her parents, Lynn and John, along with HK’s coaching staff, program alum Maddie Brandon, and her teammates. “For track, I want to drop on my times, but my No. 1 goal is to just compete and fight in each race and see where it all takes me. I would also like to see us make New Englands in indoor track and keep that competitive culture here alive.”