Churchville-Chili High (N.Y.) sophomore Anna Kostarellis | Photo courtesy of Tina Ruhland
Anna Kostarellis described her first cross country race as punishing. It was just happenstance she adopted the sport after she missed soccer tryouts in seventh grade due to a late sports physical.
After the muscle aches subsided, she realized how much she enjoyed the physical and mental challenges she didn’t get from playing soccer. Once a sport she dreaded, the Churchville-Chili High (N.Y.) sophomore’s running ability has thrust her onto the national circuit. Kostarellis will make her first appearance at Nike Cross Nationals (NXN), held on Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland, Ore., on Dec. 6.
The prestigious meet brings together the country’s top prep distance runners and is comprised of fields of 22 seven-person clubs and an additional 45 individuals (boys and girls). Competitors must qualify in one of eight regional meets.
When Kostarellis stepped to the start line for Nike Cross New York Regionals at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls last Saturday, she was more concerned with staying warm and not tripping on the frozen, muddy terrain than she was about qualify for the championship.
“The thought never crossed my mind,” Kostarellis said. “I just wanted to have fun.”
Her relaxed approach proved favorable. Kostarellis finished sixth overall with a time of 18:57 and was among the top five individuals who were not part of qualifying high school cross country teams. She became her school’s first national qualifier in cross country.
“My main goal is to always enjoy running and never feel like it’s something I have to do,” Kostarellis said.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” said Churchville-Chili High girls cross country coach Richard Strasser. “I can’t explain how happy I am. It’s mind blowing.”
Strasser continues to be impressed by Kostarellis’s drive. He said even as a freshman on varsity she approached every workout, recovery runs included, with a committed and sincere intent, and often asked for constructive feedback about her technique and form. All the while Kostarellis, who peaked at 18:49 last season, thought of herself as an “average runner.”
Her father, Spiro Kostarellis, described his daughter as a fearless go-getter. Over the summer Kostarellis ran up to 40 miles weekly, complemented with strength training, swimming and playing soccer. Her intent was to improve her personal best, which she did to 17:48 by mid-season, and qualify for the New York class B state meet, which she did, and placed sixth overall with a time of 18:56.
Kostarellis said she doesn’t typically study her competitors before races.
“That’s the one thing that messes me up,” she said. “I like to keep my mind completely clear.”
That is unless she’s running up a hill, when she likes to conjugate Spanish verbs and phrases in her mind as a distraction from burning muscles.
As Kostarellis prepares this week before leaving for NXN, she admitted to feeling pressure to represent her school and the state on a national level for the first time. But as with the regional meet, she’ll again maintain a relaxed approach when she steps to the start, hair in her signature high bun, determined to run her best.
“My main goal is to always enjoy running and never feel like it’s something I have to do,” Kostarellis said.
Added Strasser, “Let’s just see what happens. Her mind right now is positive. It’s all paying off. I have a good feeling she’ll do well.”