Because the Dolphins practice facility and University School campus are side by side, some players already might have crossed paths with the Suns' cross-country team.

If they did, they might have seen senior Maggie New on one of her 15 trips to a soup kitchen to volunteer or sophomore Eric Branse going to tutor students.

''The coolest thing about our team is that we all have different interests,'' said freshman Sydney Schneider, the student government freshman vice president. ``If we go to [the state meet] without making the friendships that we have, the trip will be meaningless. I think we are getting the best of both worlds.

``We are having great success and making great friendships.''

This eclectic group of runners have become the early season surprise in Broward County. With Schneider (19:54), New (21:28) and Sammy Greissman (21:50) pacing the girls and Richard Dorfman (17:40), Branse (18:04) and Ben New (18:29) leading the boys' charge, the Suns are 6-0.

MOTIVATED RUNNERS

Ben New, a member of the National Honor Society, Science Honor Society and Art Honor Society, said the boys' team had something to prove after finishing last at the district meet a year ago.

''We are hoping that we will get to regionals this year,'' New said. ``Last year, we got slaughtered at districts.

``We have a slim shot at going to [the state meet].''

Greissman has run at No. 3 for the Suns despite a formidable schedule. As if being lieutenant governor of the Key Club and overseeing nine schools wasn't enough, Greissman is also a member of Amnesty International along with National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Science Honor Society.

''It is a huge responsibility, but it is a lot of fun and I love it,'' Greissman said. ``I am interested in science, politics and service. I just want to do too many things. I like being a leader.''

Maggie New, a member of the Pet Rescue Club, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Science Honor Society and English Honor Society, said helping the less-fortunate has impacted her life.

As the school's Soup Kitchen Committee coordinator, New is in charge of collecting food items and enlisting 150 students to assist on 15 trips to soup kitchens this year.

''I would go every week if I could,'' New said. ``It is a fun way to help out because you get to interact with everyone that comes in. I like to get an idea of what they are going through. Talk to them when you are giving them their food. It is definitely eye-opening. It is humbling.''

VARIED INTERESTS

While pleased with the start, coach Stephen Bird said he's most happy that his runners are broadening their horizons. Schneider is an aspiring actress who, by her teammates' account, gave a stirring performance as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz in the school play last year. And Dorfman finds time in between training and studies to be an Eagle Scout and Green Team Project manager.

Bird said watching his runners grow into young adults takes him back to the late 1990s when his son competed for Hall of Fame Boyd Anderson coach David Bowden.

''We train to run three miles, it is a simple thing but we try to teach them a lot of values that are going to help them,'' Bird said. ``Being committed. Friendship, respect and loyalty. David really showed me the power of coaching. To watch an individual make those kind of changes and influence a kid's life was an amazing thing to watch.''

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