Running with the Best: Our Nike Cross Nationals Journey

Some weekends remind you why youth sports matter. For our team, Nike Cross Nationals in Oregon was one of those weekends. Seven boys, two coaches and a dream flight across the country to compete against the best high school runners in America.

None of us had ever been to the West Coast. From the moment we boarded that plane, it felt like we were stepping into something bigger than just a race. Nike treated these boys like pros, covering flights, hotel, meals and handing them gear that most kids only see online: three pairs of shoes, a backpack, jackets and custom uniforms. Watching their faces light up as they unboxed it all was worth the trip alone.

Only one other public school from Long Island has ever qualified for Nike Cross Nationals. The rest of the field was packed with powerhouse private schools; programs that recruit, travel nationally and have resources our kids can only imagine. Yet when the gun went off, none of that mattered. Our boys lined up shoulder-to-shoulder with the country’s best and ran with heart, grit and pride. They didn’t flinch. They belonged.

Standing on that muddy, rain-soaked course in Portland, I saw what sport can do at its highest level, as it humbles you and elevates you all at once. It reminds you that small-town kids with big dreams can stand on the same line as anyone else when they’re built on work ethic, belief and brotherhood. This weekend wasn’t about medals. It was about the experience, the laughter on the bus getting to the airport, the shared nerves at the start line, the pride in representing our school, our town and every young athlete who wonders if they can make it to the big stage. They can. I watched it happen.

What Parents Can Take From a Weekend Like This

A trip like Nike Cross Nationals gives parents a window into what big moments feel like for their kids. Here are a few grounding ideas that help them navigate those moments with steadiness and presence:

1. Big stages bring big feelings
   Excitement, nerves, pressure; they often show up together. A calm acknowledgment helps kids settle before they compete.
2. Focus on presence, not outcome
   When the stakes rise, kids benefit from simple anchors: their warm-up, their breath, their teammates.
3. Let them lead the conversation
   After the race, a gentle “What do you want to tell me about the race?” keeps the space open and supportive.
4. Celebrate the experience, not just the performance
   Traveling across the country, representing their school, learning how to handle nerves. These moments shape confidence long after the results fade.
5. Notice the invisible growth
   Adaptability, composure, connection with teammates … all of it matters as much as a finishing time.
6. Reinforce that they belonged
   Being on a national stage can feel surreal. Hearing, “You earned your place here,” can be the encouragement they carry into their next season.

A Final Thought

Watching our boys compete in Oregon was a reminder that youth sports are about more than competition. They’re about identity, community and the steady belief that young athletes can rise to whatever challenge is in front of them. As parents, our role is simple: meet them with presence, pride and the kind of support that strengthens them long after the race is over.