Massapequa's Taylor Retting relaxes, wins Class A race in Nassau state qualifier
Massapequa's Taylor Rettig strides during the Nassau State qualifier cross country meet at Bethpage State Park on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015. Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
As much as Massapequa's Taylor Rettig was trying to stay in the moment, she just couldn't help but think a few minutes into the future during Saturday's Nassau state qualifier in the Class A girls cross-country race at Bethpage State Park.
"How cool would it be if I got first" she mused. "That would be really cool. I should try to do it."
And she did. Rettig won the 5-kilometer race in 19 minutes, 12.19 seconds. The victory qualified her for the state public school championship, scheduled for Saturday at Monroe-Woodbury High School in Central Valley.
Besides the momentary lapse, Rettig credited her victory with her ability to stay in the present, trying not to worry about what obstacles or competition might lie ahead. The strategy, she said, took form after being unhappy with her sixth-place finish in the Nassau Class I championship race on October 31.
"Last week, I was way too nervous," Rettig said. "I psyched myself out before the race. This time, I tried to relax . . . I tried to stay in the moment and also strategize during the race. If I'm running with a girl, I tell myself, 'I got this, I can stay with this girl, I can pass her.' I don't think about the last straightaway. I don't think about finishing. I just think about that middle part and stay with her. In the end, I go and it will all work out the way it's supposed to work out."
Syosset, which took places five through nine, won the team competition in Class A with 35 points. Kayla Beovich was the highest Braves finisher, placing fifth in 19:58.24.
North Shore's Diana Vizza turned in the fastest time of the meet, running a 17:46.74 to win the Class B race. She was the only Nassau girl to finish in under 19 minutes, in any class.
"This was the first race of the season where I could really go all-out . . ." said Vizza, a senior. "This is my last Bethpage race and I wanted to go out with a bang. I knew I was in good shape to run it, and I had never really executed it. I'm glad I finally ran to my potential and my fitness today."
North Shore won the Class B title, scoring 31 points. Morgan Nerud was the next highest Vikings finisher, placing fifth in 19:28.98.
Oyster Bay's Maggie McNamara won the Class C race in 21:33.68. Oyster Bay won the team title with 19 points.
