By Isaiah Matthew, Grade 12
The Lourdes’ cross country team successfully completed the championship race on October 30, 2025. Edward Nuzzo, one of the runners, came in 17th place out of 137 runners. I, personally, had the privilege of interviewing Edward. I asked Edward what the progression felt like as a teammate and what it was like as an individual athlete to have made it to a big-time championship. Edward replied, “The pressure on you as an individual causes the nerves to spike, and as a team, it requires a lot more focus because the only thing we are thinking about is how if we lose this race, our season could end soon.” I then asked Edward how he, as an individual cross country runner, has been able to deal with his nerves. He replied, “I don’t know. I think it is just the fact of having myself surrounded by like-minded people. We are all thinking of doing our best and giving each other the motivation and support to move forward.” Edward told me that “cross country was hard and difficult,” that it was “not as it seems to be where the cross country athletes simply go outside for practices; it takes discipline and hard work.” I then asked Edward, “if there is one quote you would say motivates you to exceed your limitations, but the same thought process may be running out of speculation in your teammates’ minds, what would it be?” Edward said, “be better than who you were yesterday because Coach Slinskey said so!” Thank you, Edward, for your amazing insight into what the cross country team at Lourdes was all about this year!