The Loomis Chaffee School 2010 Fall Athletic Awards Ceremony ...

Alec, we honor with this year’s Coaches Award, presented to him in
recognition of the unfailing optimism and generous camaraderie he shared
with his teammates even as significant illness kept him from competing in all
but one race of his senior season. As he has in track and cross country
seasons past, Alec shared with his teammates a determination, discipline, and
competitive spirit both contagious and incomparable. Our thanks, Alec.
Our final award tonight goes to our Most Improved Runner. Every year,
every runner makes improvements; however, only once in a blue moon does a
runner move from back-of-the-JV-pack to front-of-the-varsity-pack. Thanks
to a summer of concerted mileage and more, David Balise raced as our third
fastest runner in all but one competition this season. Congratulations, David!
LCXC SENIORS:
JOHN BELLIZZI: Like many athletes, John joined the LCXC program
eager to begin his winter wrestling season in the best shape
possible…and soon found himself to be a bona fide harrier! Never
tentative about his ability to give 100 percent to ever workout,
every race, never injured, always upbeat, always can-do, John has
brought a quiet leadership into the midst of our 60-strong team,
bringing teammates with him as he has steadily lowered his race
times and increased his speed, endurance, and strength. LCXCers all
(especially your intrasquad grand-finale-winning LCSXC team!) will
miss you, John!
EUGENE CHA: Among the goals Eugene set for himself for this senior
year season was that of providing leadership to his younger
teammates: Eugene not only met this goal, but, in the eyes of his
coaches, surpassed it. At season's end, when most runners done with
their competitive season opted to stay on campus to partake in Kent
Day activities, Eugene suited up (truly, in spiffy shirt and tie) as
team manager and travelled with the New Englands competitors for a
long day of races up at Deerfield. Though he came up a bit shy of
his goal of running a sub-20:00 5 km, Eugene worked hard on the
trails (when his legs were feeling good) and in the fitness center
(when his shins would act up) and always set brisk pace and high bar
for anyone in his vicinity. Congratulations, Eugene, on a most
memorable LCXC career!