In representing PSAL (Public Schools Athletic League) at the 2010 New York State Federation Cross Country Championships, at Bowdoin Park course in Wappinger Falls, New York City’s champion Alexis Panisse (19:38.96), elevated her status among State elites by completing the 5K race in 19:18.40 seconds for 25th place overall and become the first PSAL athlete in at least 15 years to finish in the Championships.

Panisse

 

Throughout the 2009 season, Panisse who has roots in the Dominican Republic and is a junior at Benjamin N. Cardozo High School in Queens, New York, remained stoical while she endured needling injury pains. However, this new season she has exuded a quiet confidence as she runs pain free for the first time in several months. Just weeks before the state championships, the formidable Panisse ran a personal best of 18:38+ at an invitational meet at Brown University in Rhode Island.

 

So, what makes Panisse's State Championships placing significant? Historically there is a culture among Upstate high schools in which they dominate cross country events and perennially produce the top cross country team and individual runner in the country. For the recently completed 2010 season, that distinction went to Fayetteville Manlius High School and Aisling Cuffe, respectively. This year, the challenge was no different for City schools. On Championship day, Saturday, November 20, the event seemed even more daunting with a “fall” chill in the air as the temperature hovered in the mid-40s. There was also the pressure of knowing that no PSAL athlete has ever finished in the top 30 in about 15 years.

 

That fact made her coach Ray James more resolute in seeing her do well. He assured her that she was as good as the best the State had to offer and that her training had equipped her to compete against the best. Panisse clearly believed him.

 

And while Coach Ray ran short of adjectives to describe the work ethics of his young rising star, from whom he said many athletes could learn a lot, Alexis would not be the one to enjoy a day off from training to celebrate what she has accomplished, but instead would be visibly upset if she had to take a break.

 

The City’s number two athlete, Sabrina Southerland (19:49.83), also from Cardozo, ran 20:30.1 to finish just outside the top 70. Young Southerland, who is of Haitian descent, expressed disappointment with her performance, identifying it as her worst Cross Country race for the season and explaining that she was very cold before the race. The sophomore promises to be back with a vengeance next year.

 

The following PSAL teams came through this year with outstanding performances to finish among the top 30.
Team                                               Position
Boys
Stuyvesant High School                      21
Midwood High School                       23
Bronx High School of Science            25
Brooklyn Technical High School         26
         
Girls
Port Richmond High School               16
Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School     22
Curtis High School                             23
Townsend Harris High School            24