Running wasn’t always the focus of junior Edward Belsoi, who is now an impressive runner for Eleanor Roosevelt High School’s cross country team. It all started during his freshman year when he decided to join the track team just in time for the last few meets, explained Belsoi. “I didn’t even know how good I was,” he recalled, because “I hadn’t ran track before.” After he ran his first race and beat a senior teammate, however, it was clear to him that “I might be pretty good at this.”

That occurrence should be a distant memory now, considering Belsoi has become a “key contributor” to the ERHS cross country team, according to head coach Mr. Rob Stephens. He said he started running cross country to stay in shape for track during the off season. “Cross country is fun and all, but I like fast stuff,” explained Belsoi. Cross country practices alone aren’t what keeps him in shape, however. He does core exercises and some extra running, of course. “I run a lot,” said Belsoi with a laugh.

However, his high school running career was “in jeopardy” at the beginning of this season, explained Mr.Stephens. Belsoi sprained his ankle in the first weeks of practice, which left him on crutches. This setback didn’t deter Belsoi, though. “He was at every practice” and “worked his butt off to get back on the course,” Mr. Stephens recalled.

“Even when he wasn’t running, he was always there, encouraging us,” said his teammate, senior Mitchell Moore.

It’s clear that Belsoi puts a ton of work into running and exercise. Many athletes would say that it is their love for a sport that fuels their desire to work hard, but as for Belsoi, he said it’s Coach Stephens. Mr. Stevens, travels from outside of ERHS, Belsoi explained. “He puts in a lot of work for us” and “he doesn’t have to do that,” he continued. “The best way to pay back your coach is to perform well.”

It seems that Belsoi has made his coach proud, since Mr. Stevens expressed nothing but positive feedback about him. “Edward is just the ultimate team guy,” said Stevens. “He doesn’t just want to be fast as an individual, but he also wants to make his teammates better.”

His teammates repay him by being encouraging before a race. “Before a meet I’m like actually really nervous,” said Belsoi. He has no big secret to performing particularly well. His only request is that his teammates allow him to have a few moments of silence. “I don’t want anyone on the team to talk to me at all,” he explained, adding that it is his time to get himself “pumped up.” A few team members give him a silent pat on the back instead.

Looking towards the immediate future, all great athletes are always looking to improve and Belsoi is no different. Track season is coming soon and Belsoi has set a few goals. His current time for a mile race is at about a 4:31, said Belsoi, but this year he hopes to decrease his time to 4:21 in indoor track and 4:14 in outdoor. “It’ll be hard to do, but it’s what I want.”

Further in the future is college and Belsoi expressed that he is open to all of the possibilities. Running track or cross country is not a definite goal, but if he gets the opportunity, “I’ll consider it,” said Belsoi.