Medina's dominance continues – Newtown runner wins third straight borough title

Alex Medina knew he could run fast, but the Corona teen wasn't too interested in long distance running when he first began attending Newtown High School. &#8220I wanted to play handball,” he said.
However, near the end of the cross-country season his freshman year, he joined the team - not because the sport suddenly intrigued him, but for scheduling reasons. &#8220I just wanted to get an earlier schedule,” Medina said.
Newtown Coach Jack Dammann knew right away what he had in Medina. So after running just one practice meet, the longtime coach, now in his 43rd season, inserted Medina into his starting seven after an injury to one of his upperclassmen. In his first borough-wide race, Medina finished an astounding 10th. &#8220From that point on,” the coach said, &#8220I knew he was a special talent.”
Four years later, Dammann has been proven prophetic. Friday afternoon Medina won his third consecutive 5K Queens Borough cross-country championship meet, finishing the race in a personal record time of 16:50.10 at Cunningham Park. Although he fell short of the all-time mark, Medina ran the best time in the Queens race in over 10 years, Dammann said. &#8220This is probably the second fastest time ever,” he said.
For Medina, 18, this season has been more about meeting personal goals and preparing for citywide competitions than winning races. There aren't many challengers for him in Queens. In this meet, for instance, John Bowne's Kouri Falconer was second, at 17:19.60, almost a good half minute behind Medina.
However, the city championship, where Medina placed second as a sophomore and fourth as a junior, is a different story. That may very well define his senior season. &#8220I'm hoping to get a good position,” he said of the November 11 race at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. &#8220It's really important. Winning the cities, you are recognized by every school, and that's what I'm looking for. I'm looking to get into a good school, not only with a good track program, but an academic program as well.”
He plans to stay local, naming schools like Adelphi, St. Francis, and Hunter as possibilities. First will be the big race. In preparation for the hilly course, Medina said he is cutting out soda, eating healthier and also stepping up his workouts. &#8220I'm going to up it even more,” he said. &#8220So I can have more energy on that race. I'm going to do whatever I can to see that I have the best city event ever.”
The way his teammates see it, that's a lot of running. &#8220Whatever we do, he does double,” Junior Redion Kadilliu said. &#8220He's amazing.”
That he's even in this position, with a chance to truly be ready for the most important race of his high school career, is somewhat surprising. Hampered by shin splints throughout his career, Medina got off to a slow start because of the injury. Not until after the Mayor's Cup a month ago, did he seem fully healthy. Since then, he's really been able to practice hard. &#8220This is the best string of time he has been able to give me without injury,” Dammann said.