America is truly a nation of sport lovers, many of whom especially enjoy high school athletics. High school sports have always been an essential part of the fabric of American society, with over five million student athletes participating in any school year. However, the runners on one Upstate New York cross country team are ahead of the pack.

No team in the history of Section V cross country has ever claimed a state title with no top 10 finishers, that is until Pittsford Mendon’s cross country team came on to the bitter cold — 36 degrees Fahrenheit to be exact — muddy, SUNY Canton course. All five of Mendon’s finishers, including a senior, three juniors, and one freshman, were only 42 seconds apart.

Isaac Goodman (14th overall), Griffin Hess (17th), Henry Burton (18th), Nathan Lawler (34th) and David Azzara (44th) all were integral in winning the title. “I can’t tell you who’s MVP this time. They all play such a key part,” coach Chris Compson said during an interview with MileSplit.com. He reveled in the team’s second straight title. Quite a feat, considering they had never won one before.

The conditions of the 3.1 mile course were tough, and the pace was fast. Lawler, like many runners competing in state competitions, decided to start out aggressively in order to keep up. “The first mile I’d never experienced anything like it before. There’s so much pushin’ and shovin.’ I tried to block people with my arms. I was able to stay strong and pick people off as I went along.”

Coach Compson — who carries a golf umbrella as the team’s good-luck charm — felt his team’s win pays homage to the late coach Jason DeJoy, who coached the team’s first boys state title in addition to 10 sectional boys and girls titles. He received two-time All-Greater Rochester Coach of the Year.

Compson first Met DeJoy when he and his wife, Becki, moved to Pittsford from the Syracuse suburb of Minoa. The Compsons moved in order for Becki to take up a full time position as manager of talent engagement and change at Constellation Brands in Perinton. When Dejoy realized that another sub-three-hour marathon runner had moved in the neighborhood just down the street, the two immediately clicked and began training together, five days a week for nearly two years.

Following Dejoy’s sudden death at age 40 last January 7th, Compson transitioned into the role of coach of the Pittsford Mendon boys cross country team after much thought. He felt it would help in the healing process of the community, the team, and also himself.