By Laura Lane
The petite senior, who weighs only 99 pounds, said snow is not a problem. She trains in all kinds of weather, usually 55 miles a week and sometimes more. Her hard work is paying off. Criscuolo is one talented cross-country runner.
The weekend before last, she was in Rochester at a state qualifier, and came in third out of 400 competitors. Her dream, to qualify for the 32-runner Foot Locker National Finale this December in San Diego, drives her. But to make her dream a reality, Criscuolo must place in the top eight in a Nov. 29 race in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx.
Criscuolo is confident she can do it after the Rochester race. But she is still committed to training hard. Life wouldn't seem normal if she weren't. I work out after school, usually two hours, and am in bed by 8:30 every night, said Criscuolo, who will not drink soda and rarely eats junk food. I can't go out late on Friday nights because I have to compete early Saturday mornings. But I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. I love running so much, it's my life.
Criscuolo said she has always loved running. She joined the St. Raphael's Roman Catholic Church track team while in the sixth grade. The following year she joined the cross-country team at Woodland, and she earned All-County honors in ninth grade. Since then, Criscuolo has achieved one success after another. And academically, she maintains a 90 average.
My coach, Steve Josepher, has had a big impact on my running, Criscuolo said. He brought me up slowly, not too much speed work too early so I wouldn't burn out. He always encourages me and focuses on the positives.
Josepher has seen her grow as a runner, explaining that she worked hard over the years to become successful. He increased her mileage gradually to allow her to discover her own potential. She comes to practice every day and does her job and understands success comes with small little steps, Josepher said. And she's gotten better each year; her times have dropped. Brittany understands her competitors and learns what it takes to beat them.
Her sister, Rachal Gill, and cousin, Christina Espostio, are also members of the East Meadow High team. Criscuolo was quick to point out that they too score for the team. She thinks it might run in the family. We all started running at young ages," she said, "and my family has always encouraged me.
Often when Criscuolo races, she is far ahead of her competitors, appearing to be lost in private thoughts. She said people are curious and often ask what she is thinking while she is running. I can't really say because it always changes," she explained. "It depends on who is in the race and my physical condition. I always think about keeping my form, don't let anyone pass me, and look to pass the person in front of me. I'm very aware of the things around me and hear the cheering. It helps to push me.
Josepher said colleges have expressed much interest in Criscuolo, who may get a full college scholarship for her running. He believes the support of her family has been instrumental in her success, and confirms that she has a runner's body, but he believes she has even more. Running is just an expression of who Brittany is. She loves to run, Josepher said. She's become a national-class runner.
