Stillwater High School students Tim Oliver and Anthony Zazzaro – both members of the varsity cross country team – were recognized for their outstanding seasons by the district’s Board of Education at its regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 13. The duo was presented with certificates commemorating the honor, with Coach Shawn McClements highlighting their achievements from the year.
“Tim was the best second man in small school Section 2 this past cross-country season,” said Coach McClements. The high school sophomore placed second in the Wasaren League Championships, which helped the team secure a second place finish. Tim then went on to the Section 2 Class D Championships and came in fourth, bolstering the team to place third overall.
“Tim is a tenacious competitor who brings his drive for success to practice day in and day out,” said Coach McClements.
Moreover, Tim qualified for the New York State Cross Country Championships this past fall, becoming only the second Stillwater sophomore ever to reach this feat. At States, he placed 49th in Class D and was the fourth Section 2 runner to cross the finish line.
Teammate Anthony Zazzaro “had what can only be described as an epic season,” according to Coach McClements. The high school junior was captain of the varsity squad, leading the team to a second place League finish, in addition to placing third at Sectionals. Over the course of the season, Anthony won almost all of the invitational meets Stillwater competed in; he also placed first in some of the largest meets including the Burnt Hills Invitational, the South Glens Falls K-Dawg Invite and the Queensbury Invitational.
Anthony’s accomplishments didn’t end there, as he was named League Champion for the third consecutive year. He also won the Class D Sectional Championship, making him the first Stillwater athlete to ever win a sectional cross country title. After participating in every cross country state meet since his freshman year, Anthony placed fourth at the Class D New York State Championships and earned a bid to compete in the New York Federation Championships for the second time. The only Stillwater athlete to ever compete at the Federation level, Anthony placed 21st and secured his position as the fifth highest ranked cross country runner in all of Section 2.
Anthony’s work ethic is “next level” and his commitment to pushing himself to new limits is relentless. He currently holds all of Stillwater’s cross country records, which will likely stand for decades unless he can break them next year.
“In my 20-plus years coaching, I can safely say he is the most talented male runner Stillwater has ever seen,” said Coach McClements.
Congratulations Tim and Anthony!