FAIRMOUNT PARK-  The anticipation fluctuated between thrilling and painful. In a few seconds, Haverford School’s cross-country runners were either going to maul each other in euphoria or console each other in lamentation.

As a crowd of athletes, coaches, and fans hovered around the Belmont Plateau finish line where the Inter-Academic League championship award ceremony would commence on October 17, the public address announcer conveyed the results of each race.

After what seemed like hours, he finally divulged the Inter-Ac tally. He started with the sixth-place team, then the fifth, the fourth, and the third. The only two schools not mentioned were Haverford School and rival Episcopal Academy.

“In second place,” he said, “Episcopal Academy.”

One could well imagine the combined explosion of relief and exultation emitted from the Haverford School enthusiasts. For the first time since 2001 – a time when all of the Ford finishers could barely walk, let alone run 3.1 miles – Haverford School was crowned the kings of Inter-Academic League cross country.

“It was a great moment,” said Haverford senior Anthony Calvelli. “I’ll never forget it.”

Calvelli ignited the Fords by finishing a championship-career-best fifth. He was followed by junior Will Merhige in ninth, senior Nick Magnani in 12th, senior Taj Bland in 15th, and sophomore Khalil Bland in 17th.

The Fords’ 58 points were five better than defending champion Episcopal Academy’s 63; it felt more like one million times better.

“We beat Episcopal the past two ‘EA’ days,” said Calvelli. “Coming into my sophomore year they had won 14 in a row. When we broke that streak, and then won again last year, it was the mark of a program being turned around. It’s very special to be a part of that. It was awesome.”

Pictured from left: senior Aditya Bhise, sophomore Khalil Bland, junior Will Merhige, senior Nick Magnani (captain), senior Anthony Calvelli (captain), senior Taj Bland, and junior Mark Gregory (photo Haverford School)

Calvelli is team co-captain with Magnani, whose personal finish was made light years more special because, not so long ago, he wasn’t even sure he would be able to participate.

Last spring during an outdoor track meet, Magnani tore his plantar fascia. Of the next 14 weeks, he spent three in a cast and 11 in a walking boot. As cross-country season beckoned this fall, Magnani admitted he was very concerned.

“I didn’t want to let my team down,” said Magnani. “We were in the middle of something very special. Our coach (Tim Lengel) changed our style. He had us running in packs. We had a strong top five. This was going to be our year to take the league. When I got hurt, it might have changed things.”

Then came junior Will Merhige to the rescue. Finishing his sophomore season with an unspectacular resume, Merhige dedicated himself to running hard every day over the summer. His times started to abate from the 20’s into the teens.

In fall practice, Merhige displayed eye-popping improvement.

“When I saw how much Will had gotten better, it meant so much to me,” said Magnani. “I knew the team didn’t need me to make the difference. I could just focus on getting stronger and try to add to what was already a good situation.”

Merhige acknowledged that he “wasn’t thrilled” with his performance last year.

“I put in the work during the summer,” said Merhige. “I made it a priority. It definitely paid off, both for me and for the entire team.”

Calvelli lauded Merhige’s turnaround.

“Will improved so much this year,” said Calvelli. “I attribute that to all the work he did during the summer. Some runners say they will work over the summer, but don’t. Will is a testament to the fact that when you put in the work, you will get better.”

Calvelli also extolled his co-captain, Magnani.

“Nick is incredible,” said Calvelli. “He was so bummed about his injury.

But as disappointed as he was, he showed how resilient he is. He has a great ability to bounce back. It’s incredible how driven he is.”

Aforementioned second-year head coach Tim Lengel, a 2007 Haverford School alum, cited “really strong leadership from the captains and senior runners” and “teamwork across the board” as the impetus to the Fords’ success.

“The guys know how to run together,” said Lengel. “They make each other better as a team; they're more than just the sum of their parts.

“I'm enormously proud. As I pointed out to them, I was never able to accomplish that when I was on the team.”

That privilege belongs to the current horde. Asked how it felt to help establish program history, Calvelli didn’t mince words.

“This year is arguably the strongest team we have had since the turn of the century,” he said. “Being a part of that is difficult to describe.”

Funny. He just did.

(John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com or by Twitter @johnknebels.)