Port Jefferson boys cross country team gives late coach best tribute possible
By Steven Zaitz
The 2024 Port Jefferson boys cross-country team experienced the lowest of lows as well as the highest of highs this past season.
The Magnificent Seven — seniors Colin Veit and Max Joyner, juniors Christopher Nam, Sviatoslav Zalizniak, Chase Davis, Lucas Sweeney, and sophomore Sean Grossman —captured the Class D New York State Championship on Nov. 16. It was the first state title for Royal runners on the boys side since 1976.
The team was coached to victory by Andy Cosci, who took over the team in 2022 from longtime coach Roderick Cawley, who had served the Port Jefferson School District in a variety of track and cross-county roles for close to four decades. He died this past October at the age of 65, just six weeks prior to the Royals’ historic victory.
“Coach Cawley deeply impacted not only the cross-country team but everyone in Port Jeff,” said Joyner, who ran 16:48.90 in the 5000-meter race held in Queensbury. ”I have two older brothers who ran, going back to 2017 and he really touched everyone. He had nicknames for everybody and he built up the program to what it is today.”
Grossman, the youngest, but tallest, of the winning septet of runners, also felt the warmth of Cawley’s glow.
“Not only was he a coach here, but he also taught here for many years,” said Grossman, who finished up at 17.12.10. “We were devastated when he passed away and we knew that his last wish was to win the state championship. It was one thing he wanted and I’m glad we were able to do that for him.”
Davis recounted when he initially became a track-and-field athlete.
“Cawley had a great effect on me and he would encourage me to try different events,” said Davis, who ran in 17:56.20. “He really helped me fit in and feel comfortable when I first joined this team.”
The team was led by Veit, who finished 10th overall at 16:33.50 at Queensbury. The team as a whole had the top 5 average of 17:05 – 17 seconds ahead of second-place Remsen.
“We trained for months leading up to this race so we were really well prepared,” said Joyner, “It was really rewarding to have it pay off in such a phenomenal way.”
The entire team made a great tribute to coach Cawley by inscribing his name on their forearms as they ran the state championship race. Cawley was well known throughout high school running circles, as he won 19 league titles, Coach of the Year in Suffolk County 24 times and was a great organizer and promoter of track and field across New York state. Port Jefferson High School was the host of the state meet 17 different times in Cawley’s career.
He will be missed not only in Port Jefferson but by the track-and-field community of coaches, athletes and colleagues throughout the State of New York.
