Effort Key Ingredient for BHS Cross-country Teams

By KEN HAMWEY, 

Bulletin Sports Writer

TJ Chiappone, who’s coached Bellingham High basketball for 13 years and baseball for 25, is no stranger to what’s needed to direct an interscholastic athletic program. His latest coaching endeavor, however, is a very challenging task.

The 52-year-old Chiappone is now the boys’ and girls’ cross-country coach, and he knows that enthusiasm and interest in the program must occur before he can set goals that focus on wins and losses. 

Last year’s boys’ team had only four runners, reducing all its meets to “unofficial,’’ because there weren’t enough competitors to score points. The team, nevertheless, finished 1-5. The girls’ squad had only seven runners, but it finished with a 3-3 record.

The energetic Chiappone spent much of the off-season to learn the nuances of cross-country and to recruit runners. He got results — this year’s boys’ contingent has a roster of 12, and the girls’ team has 11 runners. To say both teams are young is stating the obvious. The breakdown of the 23 runners in both programs include: 7 seventh-graders, 5 eighth-graders, 2 freshmen, 8 sophomores and 1 senior.

“One of our objectives is to focus on individual improvement (lowering times),’’ Chiappone emphasized. “I also want our runners to develop a passion for the sport, and we’ll strive to build a positive culture. Increasing our numbers is another goal that will lead to re-establishing the program.’’

Before taking the cross-country coaching reins, Chiappone said: “I want to do this the right way.’’ He didn’t waste any time, earning a certificate to coach cross-country by going on-line and opting to take a course offered by the National Federation for High School Sports and reading a plethora of articles on coaching the sport.

“I’m hoping the experience I have in other sports will translate to cross-country,’’ he said. “That includes communication skills, organizational skills and practice regimens.’’

At the Bulletin deadline, the boys’ squad had a 1-1 record and the girls were 2-0. The boys defeated Blackstone-Millville Regional and lost to Douglas, and the girls beat both those teams. 

Chiappone was acutely aware that getting advice from veteran sources who know the intricacies of cross-country would be helpful. Peter Lacasse, the current boys’ and girls’ outdoor track coach, who previously directed Bellingham’s cross-country teams, helped Chiappone get adjusted. Volunteer coach Jay Fadden has also been a plus.

“We’re emphasizing that the kids stay within their pace, rely on endurance and finish their races with a strong kick at the end,’’ Chiappone stressed.

The boys’ team is led by freshman Grady Henshaw and sophomore captain Douglas Walton.

“Grady, who’s is in his second year of cross-country, has worked hard to improve,’’ Chiappone said. “He ran well as an eighth-grader and has dedicated himself to the sport. He’s an efficient runner, he’s mentally tough and can dictate the pace and maintain it. Grady has been solid in our first two meets, finishing first against BMR and second against Douglas.’’

Walton ran as a seventh-grader, took two years off, but is a first-year varsity runner now. “A good athlete in baseball and basketball, he’s working on his form and hopes to improve his pace. His endurance is strong, and his stride is effective,’’ Chiappone said.

The rest of the squad includes sophomore Aaron Meagher; eighth-graders Pranav Atturu, Xavier Dupuis, Ryan Gerbrands and Joseph Lussier; and seventh-graders Dylan Harris, William Hunt, Spencer Lavalley, Hayden Petrie and Patrick Ribeiro.

“I’m hoping these runners improve and contribute to the team’s progress as the season moves along,’’ Chiappone said.

The girls’ squad features senior captain Emma Smith and sophomore Jenna Dormady. Both were Tri Valley League all-stars last year.

“Emma is in his fifth varsity year, and she’s the most experienced runner we have,’’ Chiappone offered. “A good role model, she’s a patient runner who maintains a steady pace. She finished second in both our meets against BMR and Douglas. 

“Jenna is a third-year varsity competitor who’s a warrior. She’s got mental and physical toughness, she works hard and is a very capable runner. She won both races against BMR and Douglas. We’ll be relying heavily on both Emma and Jenna.’’

The rest of the team includes sophomores Olivia Ginn, Addison Howard, Helena Hunt, Balkis Mafhoum and Angela Romano; freshman Mikayla Nicoleau; eighth-grader Ava Kerkhoff; and seventh-graders Katherine Hall and Morgan Henshaw.

“The sophomore group has experience and no doubt will improve by lowering their times,’’ Chiappone noted. “They’re a building block for the future. We’re also excited about the potential of the two seventh-grade competitors.’’

The coach is also excited about the program’s reconstructed 3.1-mile course. 

“Starting near the concession stand, the course winds around the middle school and high school back fields,’’ Chiappone noted. “Then the runners enter the woods on improved trails, which extend through the high school woods. Two new trails were built over the summer and add greatly to the beauty and uniqueness of Bellingham’s course.

Two dual meets don’t make a season, but so far, says Chiappone, “Every day has been enjoyable and fantastic. I’m pleased with both teams’ effort and attitude, and I’m glad that they’re creating a positive culture.’’

That positive culture was front and center at the Highland Invitational on Sept. 14 in Attleboro. Grady Henshaw finished 17th out of 97 runners in the freshmen boys 3K and Morgan Henshaw finished 4th out of 38 runners in the Freshmen Girls 3K. Jenna Dormady finished first out of 60 runners in the Girls Open Division 3K. 

“Our runners had a great day,’’ Chiappone said.