After a sound performance at the Crystal Springs meet Tuesday, Paly’s boys’ cross country team has firmly proved their ability to thrive on teamwork.

Racing by grade level instead of in the conventional varsity, junior varsity, and frosh-soph divisions, the seniors on Paly’s boys’ cross country team hatched a plan to help fellow teammate Alok Subbarao achieve a personal goal. Senior co-captain Subbarao aspired to run the course Tuesday a full 10 minutes faster than the time it took him to complete the same course as a freshman.

In a solid demonstration of friendship and support, about five of Paly’s seniors ran alongside Subbarao to help in encouragement and pacing during his entire race. Forming a sturdy cluster of Paly green, they steadily snaked through the hilly 2.95-mile-long course together.

In the end, Subbarao, along with five other Paly boys, finished the course in 18 minutes, 27 seconds. Though, according to boys’ head coach Jeff Billing, Subbarao fell about 30 seconds short of his initial goal, Subbarao did, however, comfortably shave off more than a minute from his finishing time last year, and thus remains optimistic.

“[The guys] helped out a lot,” Subbarao said. “Their pushing was really encouraging. I didn’t make my goal, but I’ll have another shot at leagues.”

More from Paly’s senior squad who finished the course Tuesday were co-captains Brian Hsueh and Rajan Narang, and Jeremy Jacob, all within five seconds of each other. After Jacob came senior Henry Becker at 17:57 and senior Alfred Chen at 18:00.

After the boys’ performance at Crystal Springs, Billing is pleased with the athletes who are on the team.

It’s a great group of seniors,” Billing said. “It’s great to see them all running together as a group.”

For the complete results of Tuesday’s meet, including the outcomes of the freshman, sophomore, and junior races, visit http://www.dyestatcal.com/ATHLETICS/XC/2007/scval_cs.htm .

Paly’s varsity boys’ cross country team will travel to the Aloha State of Hawaii for their next meet to compete in the Punahou Invitational Saturday, Oct. 13.