By: centraljersey.com
When somebody says West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North track, anybody would automatically think of Jim and Joe Rosa.
Why not? They have been the core of the track teams for years. They have broken so many records that you need a calendar to count them. They are nationally known.
So when someone mentions the names Simone Counts and Pati Dziekonska people just think they are two other ordinary runners on the Knights’ squad. Those people couldn’t be more wrong.
The two girls were among an elite group of freshman who made it to the Indoor Nationals for the state of New Jersey. Even though she has been only running for a few months in high school, Counts was not fazed by the atmosphere at nationals.
"When it came time for the race I did what Coach (Brian) Gould taught me to do and just put everyone out of my head and got in the zone," said Counts, who ran a personal-record 5:21.34 for 14th place in the girls mile.
Dziekonska did not have the best introduction at the national level though. She got injured participating in the 60-meter hurdle race.
"I got a bad start so that made me lean too much," she said. "And then on the last hurdle I hit my knee and I just tumbled down."
Dziekonska found out later she had a fractured ankle and will miss three-six weeks of the spring season. Even with a fractured ankle, Dziekonska could not give up. She is a team player and knew her team was counting on her to race in the shuttle hurdles relay.
"I did not want to let down my team so I ran the race," she said. "I feel so good that I ran it and am proud of myself that I had the strength to race for my team."
The moment coach Monica Biro will remember for the rest of her life is when Dziekonska went back in to race in the relay. She said she will use this example to teach other athletes what teamwork is.
"When she decided to go back out there and race it was probably one of the most selfless acts I have seen," Biro said. "She put her team before herself which is something that can’t be taught."
Even though Counts had an amazing season as a freshman in winter track, she was still surprised that she made it to the national level.
"Even though I had an amazing past in middle school, I wasn’t expecting to get this far," Counts said. "It’s more than I could have ever wished for."
That amazing past was actually historic for Community Middle School in Plainsboro. Counts set records in the mile run, the 800 meter run, the 4×100 meter relay, and the long jump.
Simone also has the chance of soon setting records for the Knights. She is second all time in her mile time behind Trish Reilly, who is the athlete that Counts actually looks up to when she prepares for a race.
"People say I’m like her," Counts said. "When I think about her I just want to be as good as her and follow in her footsteps."
Dziekonska also had a fantastic middle school career. Biro remembers watching her when she was in seventh grade.
"She was just starting to learn how to hurdle, but she was right away three stepping," Biro recalled. "Some girls don’t even learn how to do that in their whole careers, but Pati caught on fast."
While both girls were surprised by their performances, their coaches were not surprised. Gould had a feeling from the start that Counts’ season was going to last a while.
"I always thought it was a possibility," Gould said. "Simone had a steady progression throughout the season and as we approached the end she kept shaving time off of her mile and I was not surprised once she qualified."
Both girls have an outstanding work ethic. They say being pushed hard at practice by their coaches helps. One piece of advice Biro gave Dziekonska sticks out in her mind.
"Life isn’t a marathon, it’s a sprint because it’s like long periods of dedication and hard work punctuated by little times," Dziekonska said.
This advice not only motivates her in running but also influences her throughout life.
Gould has also had an impact on Counts’ life.
"I really like when he says greatness is a habit because it really portrays what it means to be great because if you’re being great for one race or one event in life you should keep that greatness going instead of shutting it out," she said.
Both Dziekonska and Counts believe in team chemistry. Counts treats her fellow athletes the same way she does any other family member.
"We are really all one big family," Counts said. "Everyone leans on each other no matter what. No one doubts anyone else and that’s what makes this team so great."
Dziekonska feels the same way. She doesn’t think she would be able to recover from her fractured ankle without her teammates. They hold her up just as much as she supports them.
Simone Counts and Pati Dziekonska have their sights set on the Olympics, but that is for the future. For now Counts has a specific goal in mind.
"If I had to choose one accomplishment to achieve in high school it would be breaking the five minute mark for my mile," she said. "That has been my goal all along and I hope to maybe do it in this spring track season."
Biro doesn’t think the Olympics are out of reach for these two girls.
"If they continue with their attitude and work ethic I would not be surprised to see them compete in the Olympics one day," the Knights’ coach said. "They have so many opportunities open to them if they stay focused on their goals."
So as Jim and Joe Rosa prepare for college, Simone Counts and Pati Dziekonska will prepare to anchor the track and field team at North for years to come. Keep your eyes open because these two might be going on to bigger and better races in the future.

