Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School’s cross country team just completed a strong season, led this year by seven committed runners who put in time and effort to ensure that this would be a stand out season for the team and hopefully a springboard for future successes. With a lag in participation the last few years, the team seems to have come into its own this year, and credit certainly goes to the team members.

The team put forth a strong showing in the yeshiva league cross country championship on Sunday, November 12, at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. Junior Aaron Shamsian finished third overall, and freshman Elan Goldman and juniors Manny Ehrlich and Avery Cantor had strong finishes as well. In the girls’ race, sophomore Nava Chefitz finished in the top half of runners overall.

Shamsian took home a large third place trophy. He was quick, however, to share his accomplishment with the entire team. After receiving his award, he passed the trophy from teammate to teammate so each runner could take a photo while holding the prize, reflecting the team’s unity and displaying the responsibility each team member feels for the others. Shamsian’s place was certainly an individual effort, but he was bolstered by the team as a whole, during practices and workouts and meets. The spirit of ve’ahavta l’reacha kamocha was alive and well after the race.

The team is not graduating any seniors this year, so runners will be able to build on their success next year in a meaningful way. The Kushner Cobras’ cross country future is looking very bright.