Sports

Two Bears to Compete in Nationals Outdoor

Running the mile and pulling off standout times isn't just about the physical work, which stretches beyond practice to exhausting exercises at summer camp, solo runs on the weekends, and tons of push-ups and sit-ups each night.

It's mental, too.

Mike Delfay and Kevin Hazelwood, members of Brewster High School's track and field athletes, are familiar with all of those elements. They're headed to the 2013 New Balance Nationals Outdoor in North Carolina, which run through Sunday.

Both Delfay's and Hazelwood's times for the mile are "ridiculously fast for freshmen," Coach Joe Scelia said.

At the Loucks Games—one of the biggest meets in the state—in White Plains last month, Hazelwood's mile time was 4 minutes and 27 seconds, and Delfay's 4:28. That put them among the top times for freshmen across the state.

"Seeing the progression of a kid with hard work in the distance events is, for me, the best thing I could see as a coach," said Scelia, a Brewster graduate who participated in the sport when he was a Bear. "With sprinters, either you can or you can't. Black or white. With distance running, if you're willing to work hard and put in the effort, you can really be successful. And I love seeing that."

Scelia pointed to freshman Hazelwood as an example of a runner whose work ethic has led to "rapid improvement."

And those efforts have paid off. Hazelwood and Delfay were key members on this year's team—which took the 2013 League Championship, as did the girls squad.

Before their events, each tries to relax. Hazelwood admittedly has a harder time calming his nerves. He tries to imagine the run and estimate his time.

Delfay doesn't share that emotion with his friend and teammate. But one of the challenges he faces happens once he's on the course, and his legs start to get tired. He's seen an improvement since last year, but fatigue is still an issue at times.

"You just push through it," he said.

Scelia said Delfay and Hazelwood are "two different animals"—one naturally athletic and inclined to run, and the other a hard worker whose dedication has translated to skill and accomplishment. Both love the sport.

"The last 100 meters is always the most exciting because it's going down the straightaway," Delfay said. "...All the bleachers, everyone cheering. The adrenaline makes you kind of go faster."


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