Sunday, March 16, 2025
Years of dedication to running has led Seaford High School senior Myles Munro to win the Bill Ott Memorial Award, which annually honors a cross-country athlete who displays athleticism and leadership.
Munro accepted the award during a dinner at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury on Dec. 11. The Nassau County Officials Association, an organization dedicated to officiating and supporting high school sports in the county, presented the award to him.
Munro said being named the 2024 recipient of the award was a special moment, especially after looking up to past winners.
"I'm definitely really proud of myself," Munro said. "I think I put in a lot of hard work over the years, and it all came to fruition."
Munro’s six-year running career began in seventh grade when he joined Seaford’s varsity squad, making an immediate impact in cross-country, a long-distance running sport that takes place on natural terrain like grass, trails and hills. As a senior, he placed second in Nassau County in the 5K and went on to finish 10th at the state competition. He is a six-time All-County athlete and has earned two All-State selections.
His cross-country coach, Kim Cooke, nominated Munro for the award because of his athleticism, leadership and respect toward his teammates and opponents. According to Cooke, Munro is a driven athlete who puts in the work to be the best.
“He does learn from all of his races, and he does shake it off when it doesn't go well,” Cooke said. “He takes it in and then he moves on, and he leads by example in that way.”
Cooke has known Munro since coaching him in winter track when he attended Seaford Middle School as a seventh and eighth grader. When she took over the high school cross-country program during his freshman year, she saw him grow into a leader among his peers.
"He's a quiet leader," Cooke noted. "He will pull kids aside and give them tips without being noticed by others. It's very secretive, nobody really is aware of how much he does lead, but he does, even with his competitors."
Munro said track has taught him the importance of being a good teammate and building connections with others. He also learned not to dwell on a bad race, instead adopting a "goldfish mentality” — a mindset inspired by the belief that goldfish have short memories, allowing them to quickly forget setbacks and move forward. Munro applies this approach by not letting poor performances linger in his mind, focusing instead on the next opportunity to compete.
While competitive, cross-country is also a sport to build friendships and learn from competitors, according to Munro.
“I go on runs with everybody from different teams,” Munro said. “It's all very, it's all very connected, and it’s a really special friendship that we have.”
He added that Cooke is a “one-in-a-million” coach that has helped push him throughout his years of running.
“Her motivation is like nothing I've ever seen before,” Munro said. “It’s extremely constructive.”
Beyond his cross-country achievements, Munro is a well-rounded student. He is a member of the Athletic Leadership Council, Leo’s Club, National Art Honor Society, and the winter and spring track teams. In 2023, he was selected as a Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership ambassador.
Alex Mantay, the high school’s assistant principal, praised Munro for his dedication and the positive example he sets for his peers.
"He represents our school and our community in such an incredible way that we are beyond proud of him and just so thankful for how he represents our school," Mantay said.
After high school, Munro plans to continue his cross-country and track career at Temple University, in Philadelphia, where he will major in marketing. He said he’s excited for the connections he’ll make at the campus as well as growing as a track athlete.
“It's been a ride with Myles,” Cooke said, “and it's sad to come to an end, but I'm excited for him and for his next step.”
