Nutley Female Athlete of the Month

Kate Contini – NHS junior Girls’ cross-country

“She is a tough kid and competitor. Runs through the pain all the time. She is a great runner and an even better Irish Dancer. She has traveled all over the US and to Ireland to compete in national and international dance competitions, all while keeping up great grades and racing at a high level. She always has a smile on her face, she is very encouraging of the younger runners. Leads by example. Never backs down from challenges.”
— Gerry Ryan, head coach, girls’ cross-country

What attracted you to cross-country?
I’ve always loved to run but there was never a running program for students in elementary and middle school. I remember running my first race in sixth grade at the annual Nutley Chambers of Commerce 5K and realizing that running is something that I wanted to pursue in the future.

How do you get pumped up for a race?
I usually listen to music, especially pop and rap. Before each race our team huddles up and says some encouraging words to each other. The energy that my teammates have on the line really motivates me to run my fastest.

What’s your favorite course to run on?
My favorite course has to be Branch Brook Park in Newark. This is where we run our weekly dual meets against other Essex County teams. I love this course because it is flat and very familiar to me, making each race a great opportunity to PR.

Does cross-country involve a lot of mental stamina?
Cross-country definitely involves a great deal of mental stamina as you are required to push yourself beyond your comfortable limits. In my opinion, cross-country takes more will power than any other sport.

What do you focus on when you’re running a race?
During races I focus on my breathing and whatever runners are ahead of me so I can gradually move up and prevent myself from slowing down. Although it sounds silly, sometimes I sing songs in my head to distract myself from the exhaustion I’m feeling and allow myself to keep pushing.

Cross-country is an individual sport. How do you bond with your teammates?
Despite the fact that cross-country is an individual sport, I consider it a team sport. Whether we are bonding at team pasta parties or singing on the bus, my teammates never fail to make me laugh or support me in everything that I do, and I am so grateful for them.

What are you doing for fun these days?
Aside from running, on the weekends I’m usually hanging out with my friends or spending time with my family. I also volunteer for my church with the peer leadership program which is a lot of fun.

Are you involved with other activities?
I am an Irish dancer and I’ve been competing across the world for 10 years now. In addition to dance, I am involved in the spring musical and run sprinting events for the spring track team.