Heading into his first year at the helm of Lehman High’s cross country program, head coach James Halatin had a grasp of the dedication made by athletes who participate in the sport.

Roughly a week into opening practices, Halatin said he gained a much firmer understanding of the steely-eyed work ethic cross country runners put in. 

“You talk about a sport you know you’re going to be physically beat down and exhausted. To willingly go out and get into an activity because you know...