On Saturday, Nov. 1, the sun shone brightly as the Academy of American Studies boys cross country team earned third place in the Queens Borough Championships.
Captains Umed and Anand Maru placed 1st and 2nd, and the following Saturday, Nov. 8, the twins placed 6th and 17th respectively in the New York City Championships, earning themselves spots representing Academy at State. In regards to his placement, Anand Maru, captain and senior, said “I’ve been training at 5:30 a.m. for over a year. I’m proud my hard work has paid off.”
The twins helped push Academy to State for two consecutive years. Alongside the Maru twins’ leadership, the rest of the team played a role in securing Academy’s success this season. Other teammates who contributed to AAS placing third in Queens Borough Championships and 11th place in the City Championships are captain Xavier Costakis ’26, Alexander Charles ’26, Jacob Frei ’26, Nick Kucera ’26 and Gerhig Staley ’27. William Carey, boys cross country coach and Academy physical education teacher, said “the team has been improving every year physically and mentally. This season their dedication was evident.”
“Both twins have fully dedicated themselves to the team. Despite attending Baccalaureate School for Global Education, they have helped create one big community,” said Xavier Costakis, senior and captain. Carey also said that the team’s achievements came from “every athlete stepping up when it mattered.”