Strong captains leading Wallkill Valley cross-country runners

HAMBURG — A young person who endeavors upon a career as a cross-country runner while in high school and works as hard as possible to get better from that first day of practice up to and including the last meet of the season deserves to be commended.

When considering all that it takes to not only compete in such a demanding sport, but excel on the course, as well it is most assuredly noteworthy. Members of the Wallkill Valley High School cross-country program (boys and girls teams) know that hard work is one of the many components needed succeed against the competition on a continual basis.

Of course a key to the success of most any sports program relies heavily on the competence and attitude put forth by the captains on the roster. The Rangers are fortunate in that regard as Craig Corti (senior), Gabrielle Corti (senior) and Luke Vanderhoff are providing strong leadership as captains this fall. Gabrielle and Craig are twins.

“I chose these individuals because of their leadership ability, communication skills, ability to relate to their team mates and they are incredible human beings," Wallkill Valley head coach Sabrina Lucas said. “Athletically, these captains are incredible and balancing the jobs of school, practice, studying, etc. is amazing.’’

Craig Corti recently won the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Championships held in Phillipsburg with a time of 15:59.03. Joe Dragon from High Point placed second with a time of 16:22.96. Vanderhoff placed 20th overall out of 138 runners. The Wallkill Valley boys placed fifth in the team scoring. The Wallkill Valley girls placed eighth in the team scoring.

“Craig is one of the top runners in the state of New Jersey," Lucas said. “Recently he won his third straight H/W/S (tri-county) championship. Craig is presently being highly recruited by Division I colleges. Luke, Craig and Gabrielle encourage all their teammates. The examples they set by not missing practices, working hard each day, doing the right things in and out of the classroom are the best examples a coach can ask for in a captain."

More importantly than the accolades they may earn on the course, all three captains are well-rounded student-athletes as they are solid in the classroom, Lucas noted.

On Saturday, Nov. 8, the NJSIAA sectional championship meets take place across the state.