Parents connect

We had a fine walk of the 5k course with ten parents in attendance. We snapped a photo of the group, and you will find it and dozens of athlete photos from past seasons at this page on Facebook.

Parents are invited to meet the coach and see where we race

Click the image for a better look

TUESDAY 9/2 practice canceled

The PSAL has canceled all practices citywide today, Tuesday Sept 2, in all sports due to poor air quality as measured by the government's Air Quality Index (AQI).

Even when practices are held in hot, humid, or high AQI conditions, activities are modified so that athletes can safely exercise.  Modifications may include shortened practice, lighter demands, longer rest periods, shaded locations, and access to extra water.

Regardless of the workout, each athlete is free to stop and rest, or reduce their effort level, at any time without penalty.  Athletes who are feeling dizzy, suddenly weak, or short of breath are asked to stop immediately and speak to the coach without delay. Your safety is of paramount concern.

Summer practices end

We've had an excellent summer: Senior captain Michael Alvin organized thrice weekly summer runs with 8 to 12 people in attendance most days, and on August 18, our first official team practice with Coach Henning, there were 34 in attendance!  Here's a photo from that first day.

Our last summer practice was held on Governors Island, and included a run around the island and a picnic under a large tree near the colonial fort located there. 

Everyone is looking forward to the start of regular practices with the entire team starting Tuesday, September 2, 4:00pm at HSMSE.

First Practice

The Cross Country season will soon begin! 

Returning and new team members, and those who are just interested in finding out more about the Flying Dragons, should attend our first week of practices. Come even if you think you may not have everything needed to get started.

We meet before 9:00am each weekday morning starting August 18th for two weeks. You will find us in the Bronx at the south end of Van Cortlandt Park along Broadway, right next to the 1 train terminal at W 242.  Below is a map of our meeting place. Be early - we leave at 9:00am!

A look at our race course

We put together a map of our Varsity race course in Van Cortlandt Park, based on GPS data and photogrammetric methods.
Go ahead and click on it. It's fully interactive. Mouse over the Elevation Profile and you will see where various highs and lows on the course occur.
You can also look the full sized version.

Welcome to the newest Flying Dragons

We had a great Freshman Orientation at school today, with 102 members of the HSMSE Class of 2018 in attendance. Coach Henning and several team members gave out 40 information sheets and got the names of 29 interested students. With that level of interest from incoming students, and the 45 returning students who are trying out, we are looking forward to an amazing team this coming fall with a roster of 40-45 students.  Watch this page for updates when the final team is chosen and announced on Monday June 16.

Have a look at a recent meet in Queens we attended:

Post by Fans of the Flying Dragons - HSMSE Cross Country & Track Teams.

Off to the races!

You can see photos of our third race at 

Post by Fans of the Flying Dragons - HSMSE Cross Country & Track Teams.

Week one - ten days to our first race

We're off to a great start to the season despite below-freezing temperatures during our first week. We started with some indoor workouts and by the end of the week were able to get outside and do some hill and stair work.  Here's a photo of us on the first day of practice.

With the ice on our home track (at Riverbank State Park) almost melted, we're looking forward to getting out there in the coming days. Our first two races are soon- March 19th and 22nd.

Forty Dragons to fly this spring!

Tryout were a great success with 55 athletes completing the two-part tryout and 40 making the cut. Our inaugural Outdoor Track team is young, with 19 freshman, 11 sophomores, 8 juniors, and 2 seniors thus suggesting a bright future ahead for the team. Of this group, 17 have not run for the Cross Country team and were drawn to speed, skill, and intensity that Track & Field requires.

The team is currently being outfitted with track suits, practice, and race uniforms so that they always look their best when representing HSMSE. Practices start March 3rd, and will take place on the outdoor track at Riverbank State Park and other outside locations (weather permitting) or inside our school building when necessary.

Tryouts are coming

Outdoor Track team tryouts will be held as follows:

February 4, Parts 1 & 2
February 12, Part 1
February 13, Part 2

The team roster will be announced at noon on February 14 and there will be a meeting that afternoon.  To participate in the tryout a student must have a PSAL medical form valid through June 1 and a PSAL Parent Permission form for Outdoor Track.

Student trying out for Indoor Track need to read our Tryout Guide to better understand how decisions are made about who is on the team.

Outdoor Track team gains PSAL approval

The Flying Dragons will be competing in the Public School Athletic League this spring, it has just been announced. Prior to this, we ran as a club sport and entered invitational races each spring to develop interest in Track and Field events.

Our new season begins March 3rd with an interest meeting on February 6th and try-outs following that. With over sixty girls and boys expressing interest in this year's team, there will be a team selection process based on three factors: a talent assessment based on USATF criteria, performance in a simulated practice that includes 100m, 400m, and 1600m runs, and an assessment of the student's willingness to be coached, work ethic, and team compatibility.

Last year's team was large, dedicated, and energetic. Here's a photo of them. Many of them will be returning this spring and we are looking forward to welcoming many more new Track & Field athletes into the Flying Dragons family.