10-26-08 NSCHSAA Championships

Veronica Leddy became just the second freshman to ever win the league cross country title.

BY JASON MOLINET

Veronica Leddy is much too young to understand the significance of it all. The St. Anthony’s freshman wunderkind has emerged as a force in the distance running world.

She continued her dominance on Sunday at the Nassau-Suffolk CHSAA girls cross country championships at Sunken Meadow State Park in Kings Park. Leddy, from East Islip, pulled away from the pack to take the 5K race in 20 minutes, 2.6 seconds, a full 18 seconds better than the closest competitor.

“I wanted to win because I’ve been undefeated so far,’’ said Leddy, who has not lost a varsity race yet. But winning the league title put her in rare company.

St. Anthony’s runner Pilar Marin won the event in 1996 to become the first freshman to win since the CHSAA began staging the race in 1982, according to St. Anthony’s athletic director Don Buckley. Four three-time winners of the individual title, all of whom started in their sophomore years, were Jessica Klubnick of St. Anthony’s (1993-95), Claire Quaderer of Sacred Heart (1990-92), Kristin Beaney of Friends (1987-89) and Christine Brough of Maria Regina (1982-84).

Marin went on to an outstanding high school career and ran at Princeton. Whatever the future holds for Leddi, she’s off to a promising start.

Fellow Friars freshman Sloane Russ was sixth (21:27.80), followed by a third frosh, Victoria Ciotti, in 15th place (21:53.90).

Despite Leddy’s performance, the Friars couldn’t overcome the strength in numbers showcased by St. John the Baptist. The Cougars placed five runners in the Top 10 to win their fourth straight team title with 32 points. Kellenberg placed second with 53 points. St. Anthony’s was third with 66 points.

The state CHSAA championship is next, Nov. 8 at Van Cortland Park.