By Mark Squibb
November 17, 2023 Edition
A team of runners from Baltimore School in Ferryland claimed the third spot in the provincial cross-country tournament held in Stephenville this October.
The team only formed about two months prior to the meet.
“I was doing a pile of running myself to stay in shape,” explained coach Dale Reddy. “I said to my son Landon, ‘Why don’t you have a team on the go, Baltimore always had a team and always were competitive. And he said ‘Well, we don’t have a coach, why don’t you coach?’ And I said, ‘I got no trouble with that.’”
Reddy, who himself helped earn a number of cross-country provincial banners for Baltimore while he was a student there, says 17 runners showed up for the first practice, most of whom stuck with the team the entire season.
He said that most of the boys were in shape from playing other sports, but had never competed in cross country before, though they were quick to learn the ropes.
The regional championship held in Carbonear on October 18 was a test the boys passed with flying colours — the team placed first overall.
“It was pouring down rain, and we had ponchos picked up from the Dollar Store, and we all had our gloves and toques and all that,” said Reddy. “And we had to fight through some injuries. One of our top runners had a concussion probably nine or 10 days before playing hockey so he was nursing that injury, and another one of our top runners injured his foot that week.”
Reddy said that of the six boys who participated in the regional tournament in Carbonear, five earned medals. A member of the team, who earned multiple medals, dropped off one of his medals to the runner who hadn’t received one.
Following the regional championship, those five boys qualified for the provincial tournament held in Stephenville on October 28. The boys placed third provincially.
“What an awesome group of kids,” said Reddy. “It was the highlight of my career, above and beyond running myself… They helped each other out and coached one another and lifted each other’s spirits.”
A rotational worker, Reddy sometimes had to attend competitions virtually over the internet. Natalie Normore picked up the slack while he was out of the province, and Reddy said the team could not have held together had Normore not stepped up.
Reddy, meanwhile, is already looking ahead to next year.
“Baltimore Broncos are going to be seeing provincial banners in the future,” he predicted.
Baltimore School’s cross country team has had a successful year, and placed third in the provincial tournament this fall. From left to right are coach Dale Reddy, and runners Daniel O’ Brien, Logan Perdunn, Landon Reddy, Zachery Ryan, Evan Power, and assistant coach Natalie Normore. Submitted photo
