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11/20/2018 11:00 PMEmma Anziano has hit a few bumps in the road as a member of the Haddam-Killingworth girls’ cross country squad. However, Emma stayed the course with great persistence and wound up finishing her tenure with the team by having an excellent senior season this fall.
Emma dealt with a variety of injuries during her first three years at Haddam-Killingworth. Emma suffered a stress fracture as a freshman, only ran a few races before pulling a quad as a sophomore, and then had calf and ankle issues in her junior year—forcing her to miss significant time each season.
The good news is that Emma enjoyed a clean bill of health throughout the entire 2018 campaign, and the senior certainly made the most of it. Emma took third place at the Shoreline Conference Championship to earn All-Shoreline Conference First Team honors, after which she finished as the runner-up at the Class SS State Championship for a spot on the All-State Team. Emma went to place 20th at the State Open Championship en route to qualifying for the New England Championship.
“The injuries get to your mind, but the team and coaches here have been so supportive. I don’t think I would have been able to get through the injuries without the team environment here,” Emma says. “Throughout the injuries, I told myself that I had potential I couldn’t give up, because I hate giving up. I think I validated all of that with this season.”
Haddam-Killingworth claimed Shoreline Conference and Class SS state titles in the 2017 season. Emma says the Cougars’ stellar performance at the subsequent State Open Championship was an equally impressive achievement. She’s also pleased that H-K followed up last year’s success with another solid showing in 2018.
“Last year, we made New Englands as a team, and it was a team effort...Going there as a team was an incredible experience,” Emma says. “This year, no one thought we’d do well, because we graduated five of the seven varsity girls from last year, but we qualified for the State Open as a team, and every girl counted.”
Emma ran some of her best races as a senior this year, including a few under the bright lights of the postseason stage. Emma says she surprised herself when she finished in second place at the Class SS State Championship.
“This year was my best individual year. Coming in runner-up for the Class SS meet was something I never thought I’d be able to do,” says Emma, who also runs the 1,600 and 3,200 for H-K indoor track. “I was also happy to qualify for New Englands. I finished 54th, but it was a muddy run with the rain, so I was happy with my finish.”
Emma employs a specific strategy during her races. She likes to start strong, pace herself in the middle, and then kick things into high gear for the home stretch.
“At the beginning of a race, I like to get out in front, because it helps me maintain my pacing. Then I usually settle in around the mile mark,” Emma says. “Then by the second mile, I start to take off and lay it all out in the last 800 meters.”
H-K Head Coach Matt Diglio praises Emma for her ability to push past every obstacle that’s been thrown her way. He adds that Emma displays nothing but the utmost passion as both a runner and a leader.
“Emma always had the talent and natural ability as a runner. To her credit, she overcame all these setbacks over the years and never lost her determination and passion for running,” says Diglio. “She has been a crucial member of the cross country team over the years and deserves a great deal of credit for the success of the program. She has been such a pleasure to coach, and I am so proud of her in all that she has overcome in dealing with injuries, and how she has grown and matured into a leader and role model this year.”
Emma has experienced a plethora of positive memories as a result of running cross country at Haddam-Killingworth. Emma appreciates all the support that she’s received from her teammates, especially during those times when she wasn’t able to compete.
“I’m incredibly thankful for this program. Running has helped me de-stress from school, which is a great feeling,” says Emma. “Cross country is one of the hardest sports, but everyone is so positive, and the atmosphere makes the day better. I’ve had rough patches, but the team has always been there for me. It’s great to have this family I can call my own.”