As the fall sports season wrapped up, the LM Boys’ Varsity Cross Country team claimed the top spot in the Central League once again, securing their third consecutive league title. According to pre-race projections, the varsity squad was set to finish third, but in true Aces fashion, they blew that out of the water.
When asked about their recent success, head coach Dallas Alexander expressed in an interview that winning isn’t always their focus. “We don’t talk about winning,” he explains. “We focus on training and how we are making decisions to improve as a team. We have visions for what we want to happen. If we are able to stack wins in training, wins in performance will come.” This focus defined their 2025 fall campaign, a season built on personal as well as interpersonal growth just as much as performative success.
The Aces competed in eight major meets this season, including Central League regular season meets, in- and out-of-state invitationals, and the Central League Championships. The Varsity team traveled to Huntsville, Alabama in early September, where Nick Mazzeo placed second (14:40.03) and Alex Mazzeo placed fourth (14:49.34). Behind them, Owen Davis (16:45.2), Max Pasqualino (16:59.0), Pierce Wilson (17:21.1), and Flynn Fitzgerald (17:24.4) formed a balanced varsity core.
This very depth was exactly what Coach Alexander set out to achieve this year. “This year’s team has better depth and better relationships between partnerships,” he describes. “Returning members set the foundation for new people to do things for each other.”
While the results by themselves are impressive, Alexander’s coaching philosophy goes far beyond the numbers. When asked about goals that he set during preseason, he said that the goals were to focus on how we strengthen culture and camaraderie. Examples of this included the cross-country water polo game, a forty-mile bike ride, a kayaking/canoeing trip, and multiple team dinners. All of these non-running activities helped forge a tight-knit group.
Coach Alexander mentioned that “Running is what so many athletes don’t want to do, so how do we increase our enjoyment… and capacity to pursue our potential?” For the Aces, the answer to this lies in building a strong culture based around uplifting others and completing everything as a team.
With many freshmen joining the team this year, upperclassmen have been tasked with helping them along their journey. “If you consider how relationships grow over time… that’s really what’s been amplified,” Alexander said. “The legacy that seniors are leaving…wanting to do hard things…and the first-years have really thrived under that leadership.” Owen Davis ’26 echoed this idea, emphasizing that “Mentoring the younger runners has been important to me… because the longevity of the program after I graduate is very important to me.” He also added, “Doing hard things together has brought the team closer… We all show up to practice daily knowing that we will have to do something hard and that will bring us discomfort.”
The Aces currently have a very strong group of seniors, so a lot of focus this year has been on preparing the team to transition for their next group of upcoming runners. This link between seasoned high school runners and newcomers has really helped the team sustain their success over many years, creating an environment of growth and learning. Though every year brings an altered roster, the team identity remains the same.
On Friday, October 24th, the boys varsity team competed in the PIAA District 1 Championships. As per usual, the Mazzeo twins dominated, once again getting a 1-2 finish. Owen Davis, Max Pasqualino, and Pierce Wilson finished not far behind. This qualifies the entire varsity team to compete at the state competition on November first, which is great news—but well deserved. Beyond states, Alexander says he’s eager for his runners to pursue competition on the regional and national levels.
In terms of offseason, our runners at LM don’t have one. Most top-level runners compete in indoor track during the winter and outdoor track during the spring. While they will certainly use each season to build off of the last, “rest” isn’t a term used much with our runners.
Throughout this season, the boys’ cross country team has proved that success isn’t just about winners and times but about the interpersonal bonds formed within the team. With a culture of hard work, determination, camaraderie, they’re shaping a legacy worthy of admiration. As districts and states approach, the team will continue that same focus and determination and stay ready for what comes next.
