Winning course for South Side

South Side enjoyed a tremendous finish in cross-country, with the girls’ team going a perfect 13-0 during the regular season to capture the Conference III title and the boys’ team going 10-3. They placed third and fourth, respectively, in the conference championship meets at Bethpage State Park.

“The girls rose up to all challenges,” coach Chris Webster said. “We knew Lynbrook, Manhasset and Plainedge would give us a run for our money. It all came down to the last meet against Lynbrook.”

The Lady Cyclones were led by sophomore Lauren McDonough, who earned All-Conference and All-Division honors. Her best 5K time for the season was 20-minutes, 30-seconds and her 20:43.0 placed her third in the conference championship meet. “She goes out strong and runs evenly,” Webster said.

Junior Alannah O’Rourke (21:57.5) was eighth in the conference meet and also picked up All-Conference and All-Division hardware. “She’s made strong, steady progress,” Webster said. Senior captain Kathyrn Ryan was a team leader on and off the course, Webster said. Her best time for the year was 22:09. Senior Jasmine Ruiz was South Side’s third finisher in the conference meet and 22nd-overall. She went on to set a personal best in the county/state qualifier meet, while senior Jackie Maughan ran consistently all year and was the team’s second finisher in the state qualifier in 22:29.1.

The coach is excited about underclassmen Julia Maughan, Miranda D’Accordo and Mairead Milan. The latter ran 22:41.6 at the state qualifier to set a new personal mark.

On the boys’ side, senior captain Sean Culkin was the top runner all year and capped an impressive cross-country career with All-Conference and All-Division accolades. He was 13th in the Conference III championship meet in 18:42.1

Freshman Kieran McCarthy produced the Cyclones’ best individual race of 2011 at the state qualifier, finishing in 18:09. He also earned All-Division honors. “He peaked at the right time,” Webster said.

All-Division juniors Robert Aldana and James Scott finished in the top 30 in the conference meet and were key contributors to the 10-win regular season.