This week’s Athlete of the Week, senior Rex Serpe, has the perfect blend of mental fortitude and physical ability to wreak havoc on the Cross Country course. As a third year captain, Rex is striving to enhance and improve Cape Henry’s Coed Cross Country program with his exceptional leadership and impeccable example.

“Rex’s performance was remarkable,” Head Coach Jim Lancaster continued of Rex Serpe. “Outpacing the entire field by over 30 seconds, on a 5000m course, led to earning his first High School meet victory,” Coach Lancaster added. “Rex paced with the field for just over a mile. Making a move at the 1 and 1/4 mile mark, Rex never looked back. In fact, he put 60 meters on the rest of the field over the 600 yard stretch.”

More than anything, Rex wants this team and the program to be better. He desperately wants to win a TCIS Championship, and consistently demonstrates to his teammates, through his actions and his words, what it takes to have success. What gives Rex credibility is the growth his teammates have witnessed through the years.

“Rex is a smarter runner,” Coach Lancaster continued.  “Last year, Rex would take off and try to just outrun his opponent. He has realized that running the first mile smart is just as important as running ​the first mile fast.” Lancaster added, “Rex is also a stronger runner, his long runs have increased. Last year, Rex might finish five or six miles in a single training run. However, this year, he is now able to log training runs of eight to eleven miles.”

Rex has consistently improved throughout his time in a Cross Country uniform. Rex, in the 2014 TCIS championships, finished with a time of 18:27. Fast-forward to 2016 where Rex made huge strides with his time, earning a personal best of 16:58. Now in his final High School season, Rex continues to improve and expects to set a new personal best as the season progresses.

“A key ingredient to the immense growth and positive atmosphere around the team is Rex’s leadership and example,” Assistant Coach Dashiell Quasebarth added. “As the sole senior on the team, he works hard every practice, approaches meets and practice with the perfect mix of being serious about the race or workout and loose enough to have fun before and after.  I am confident that without Rex Serpe’s presence on the Cross Country team this year, we would not be looking at a team with eyes on a TCIS championship.” Rex and the Dolphin Cross Country program look to continue the success throughout the 2017-2018 season!