Westhampton Beach Girls Race in Nike Regional Championship

Lily Strebel was quick to shake any nerves she was feeling as she raced to a 25th-place finish at the 2023 Nike Cross New York Regional Championship at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls November 25.

The Westhampton Beach junior’s time of 19 minutes, 44.3 seconds in the 5,000-meter run helped rank her at the top of Saturday’s pack of 153 runners.

“The day before I was really nervous, even though I already knew the course,” said Strebel, who competed in the New York State Federation Cross Country Championship at the park a week prior. “I think because I knew the course, I was expecting better results. But also, it could have been the type of event — it’s the last race of the season for many, so everyone wanted to end on a high note, including me.”

She completed the course in 19:18.10 her first time around. Strebel said this time, while the temperature was just right, parts of the route were muddy, especially heading uphill. Because the girls ran after the boys, the ground was softened.

“The first half of the race, I found myself more worried about my footing, which took a big toll in my race, but I pushed myself more on the downhills and flat stretches toward the end of the race,” Strebel said. “As coach John Broich said, everyone had to run on the same muddy course, so I’m more disappointed I let it get the best of me. But overall, I’m happy to finish off my first successful cross country season.”

Strebel has shined all season long, and so have her teammates who ran the event alongside her.

Eighth-grader Fina DiBiaso, also in her first season on the Hurricanes varsity cross country team, almost matched her federation time of 20:10.30, concluding the race in 20:13.1, which was good for 45th place.

“For me, having raced a course once before lets me better recognize when to push myself and how much energy I need to reserve for the end,” DiBiaso said. “Although it was tough because the course was more slippery and muddy, I was able to tackle the hills better, and my teammates provide so much support and encouragement.”

Not too far behind was senior Oona Murphy, who crossed the finish line in 91st place with a time of 21:36.6. She remained consistent, running the course in 21:37.40 on November 18.

“The entire season, we had big plans to go to NXR, so it was such an exciting moment to actually be here and see that all of our hard work paid off,” Murphy said. “We all knew what to expect and where to improve from last week, but it’s a very different course than what we’re used to. Still, I think we all did our best.”

The team typically competes at Sunken Meadow State Park, which boasts two hills. The Wappingers Falls course is an uphill battle for nearly the first mile and a half.

“I’m so proud of my teammates for what they have accomplished this season,” Strebel said. “Oona wrapped up her final season with some big personal records and Fina is already putting her name on the watchlist, which is amazing to see.”

Murphy said it’s been a tremendous learning experience.

“It definitely prepared me for college, but also taught me how to be a leader for a very competitive team,” said the Sacred Heart University-bound senior. “This team has given me such great friendships that I will miss very much when I graduate.”

DiBiaso said she’s proud of where her fitness level is at, to this point.

“I like to think of myself as a hard worker, and I’m proud that my success in my first year has allowed me to positively contribute to my team,” said the eighth-grader who is a year-round athlete, playing school and club lacrosse as well as running cross country and winter track. She also trains at 7 Fitness in Westhampton Beach.

“I’ve come to love the mental and physical challenge of running, and overall, I feel good about my first cross country season,” she continued. “My goal was to qualify for federations and the Nike XR Regionals at the end of the season, so I’m happy I was able to reach those goals. There was more I wanted to accomplish, but I’m trying to think of this season as a learning experience to build on.”

DiBiaso thanked Broich for seeing potential in her last year, and trusting the eighth-grader to fill a varsity spot right away. Strebel appreciates the solid running foundation her coach has given her. The junior will take what she has learned into the winter track season, where she races in the 1K and 1,500-meter runs.

“I know that I can improve a lot on the track. I did a lot of training already, and I think my speed will come in handy,” said Strebel, who traded in her soccer cleats for running sneakers this fall season. “Even though I miss soccer, my coach and old teammates, I know I made the right choice to do cross country. I love this team and I’m so proud we all finished this long season being league champions and qualifying for the federation championship together. I’m excited to get back on the track.”