2022 was a memorable year for the Father Judge Cross Country and Track & Field Program. We saw many new faces added to the program and another group of fantastic seniors left their mark as they embarked onto the next stage of their lives. We once again welcomed thousands of grade school and high school athletes to Solly Avenue during both the CYO and High School Father Judge Relays. We reunited with many alumni throughout the year including at our annual Christmas Workout and our Hall of Honor Celebration that inducted both the 2021 and 2022 Classes, as well as honored the 50th Anniversary of our 4x800m Record.
Although our list includes a lot of memorable achievements, it is only a snapshot of a year that saw tremendous growth for a fantastic group of Crusaders. Through all the bus trips, the hotel stays, the Ultimate Frisbee games, the water balloon fights, the long mornings at Lehigh, and the warm afternoons at Belmont, they made memories together that will never be forgotten. They fought through the adversity of all the cold and windy practices on the track, the pain of fallen over hurdles, the frustration of being injured, the pressure of school work, the relentless heat through all those summer miles, the mental war of Mile Intervals in Pennypack, and they came out on the other side all the better for it all. They showed we could do it “our way” and that you can be successful and have fun at the same time. Whether it was pole vaulting in the snow or in a Halloween costume, or running twelve 400’s shirtless December, they made this year their own. Most of all they showed if you work hard, you can achieve whatever you want to achieve. You can run Cross Country and be a successful Pole Vaulter. You can run the 800m and be the starting Quarterback of the Football Team. You can qualify for States and have a lead role in the play. You can have a job, be a great athlete and be one of the top students in your class. Most of all, you can do all of that, and so much more, while being a selfless person and exhibiting the kind of Salesian Spirit that we all should aspire to have. We can’t wait to see what 2023 has in store for our Crusaders.
So without further ado, here are your Top 10 Moments of 2022 as voted on by the team…