The guys at Midwood High School are a tight-knit squad. They’re also the reigning PSAL New York City Cross Country champs and will compete to defend their title this weekend at Van Courtland Park. They Brooklynites have been putting in work and want people to know that they’re not your average team. We met up with guys and asked a few of them (1) What's your Armory story? (2) What separates this year’s Midwood squad from other teams?

Evans Jean: Senior Sprinter

 (1) Running at The Armory has been a huge part of my life during the past four years. I’ve had many happy moments there. My favorite was freshman year at City Champs. Watching a senior on my team run a school record and win the title of Fastest Kid in the City in the 300 meter dash was so uplifting. I was extremely happy to be able to share that experience with him. It was surreal. 

(2) Us seniors work hard for the younger guys because we want to be good examples for them, so we’re always working hard. We have good role models who know how to push and motivate the team every day. 

Yasin Mehood: Senior Cross Country and Distance Runner

(1) Running at The Armory is always exciting. While I’m racing there, I can always hear my teammates cheering, my mom yelling, and some good Kid Cudi music playing in the background. I always run hard there so I can treat myself to a smoothie afterward. Being able to run at The Armory is just awesome. 

(2) We have rivalries with other schools, but definitely have some inter-squad ones as well. We make fun of each other and are competing against each other every day, but we’re all best friends here and it’s the greatest.

Tyrique Washington: Sophomore Cross Country and Middle Distance Runner

(1) We pride ourselves on performing as a group and get to show that when we run at The Armory. We’re all leaders and all rely on each other when it’s time to run. 

(2) We operate like a family, but don’t look to just one person. We’re all about everyone working together. 

Ron Livshits: Senior Cross Country and Distance Runner

(1) The Armory is where we all grew up. We’ve ran a lot there, and it’s helped us grow in track, academics, and friendship. When we go there, we leave everything that’s negative behind and just work hard. That’s what it’s all about.

(2) We all grew up up running on this hill as well. The workouts that we've done together have helped shape us into the people that we are now and will be for the rest of our lives.