Justin Time
By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
The Princeton High School cross country teams did not win at the Mercer County Championships, but their effort under the toughest of conditions was champion.
The Little Tigers competed at Washington Crossing Park just five days after losing their sophomore teammate and friend, Helene Cody, to a brain aneurysm. They had leaned on each other for support all week, and they did so again Friday in a performance that was inspiring to all in attendance.
The boys’ and the girls’ teams each finished fifth. They showed courage and strength in running their best in the midst of an unfathomable time. They lost a friend just over a week after she had run well in a Saturday workout. They stuck together to get through an emotional week as the counties got closer. The day before the counties was Cody’s viewing, the day after was her funeral.
In between, the Little Tigers honored her memory with some incredible runs. Abby Hunter was third in the freshman girls’ race. Tim Vasseur and Matt Hoffman went 1-2 in the freshman boys’ race. The PHS girls won the junior varsity race handily by placing their seven in the top 12. Andreia Fenley was third overall.
In the varsity races, Aaron Thomas, a friend and classmate of Cody’s, placed 19th to lead a tight PHS boys’ pack, while Alicia Fenley was eighth and Cody’s sister Jenna was 13th for the Little Tiger girls, who finished just two points out of fourth place in the team standings.
There were some tears, many from parents for the pride they had in their kids’ performances under the circumstances. Some were subtle, some altogether hidden by sunglasses while a few were more open. But there were more smiles than anything from the Little Tigers.
The resilience and determination of kids really is amazing. We hear plenty about teams and individual athletes overcoming setbacks in big spots, but how many high school teams have to deal with the enormity of a sudden and tragic death of a teammate? And how many teams can ever deal with a death with the strength that the Little Tigers did?
The strength began impressively with the Cody family, which was in attendance Friday — Jenna to run and her parents there to support the Little Tigers. They accepted heartfelt condolences and well wishes from Helene’s former county competitors and opposing coaches.
The unity of the PHS cross country community brought the Little Tigers through Friday’s county race, as it had helped them get through the week. They wore their unity on their sleeves. The Little Tigers teams and supporters wore black T-shirts that honored Helene Cody.
They needed each other for the race. They needed each other to get through the week. They will be connected forever by the loss, and they can stay strongest by leaning on each other.
Now, one week after Cody’s funeral, they will compete in the Central Jersey Group III meet on Saturday. The Little Tiger teams will do so the only way they can — running together to honor Helene Cody’s memory.

