Lance Bowman ’26, Lucas van Binsbergen ’27
Hardworking, dedicated, and optimistic, Eli Engelman ‘24 is acclaimed for his endurance and his determination both on and off the track and course. Co-captain of the Boys’ Cross Country and Track teams, Eli leads by example: he is determined, and motivated, as seen through his academic rigor and success both inside and outside of the classroom. James Farrell, Varsity Cross Country Head Coach, comments, “He’s very conscious of committing to making all the kids on the team better.” He adds, “Eli’s the first guy to cheer everyone on. From the first guy on the team to the last, he knows what people’s personal bests are; he’s quick to be there, and when he sees they got a PB, he’s right there congratulating them.”
Engelman’s abilities do not just stem from talent, he is constantly putting in the time and hard work to improve his times. On top of his extreme work ethic, Engelman explains, in the offseason, “I’m doing around 55 miles a week. Just putting in as much distance as I can to get my aerobic base up for the fall.” On top of high mileage weeks and countless hours of exercise, during the summer Engelman and some of his teammates traveled to Idaho for altitude training, which builds endurance through extreme conditions and intense exercise. He further states, “When the fall season is approaching, I up the intensity in speed training.” Noticeably, team building and preparation are important for Eli, and he always continues persevering through his intense workouts to advance his progressions during the fall season.
Photo courtesy of Luka Filipovski ’25
Engelman’s leadership is a testament to his personal growth, which he has found through running. He shares, “I really appreciate hard work, and I try to maintain a tough work ethic and strict mindset with everything I do, whether that’s in the classroom or while I’m running.” Although Engelman attributes his work ethic to his training regimen, he notes that his family has contributed most to his maturity and perseverance. He continues, “My dad’s exactly like that. He’s raised Theo (Engelman’s twin brother) and me to grow up with that killer mindset.”
Engelman’s qualities are commended not only by his coaches but also by friends and teammates. Among them, Curtis Connor ’26, says, “He’s a good leader in that he knows when to motivate the team and push them through the hardest workouts. He’s really pushed me and the others to strive to get to his level and compete with him every day.” Connor further explains that “Eli is a very different person off the track than he is on the track. He’s a very ecstatic person, and his personality beams. He’s constantly smiling, even when he runs. But once he steps foot on the track, he knows how to lock in.” In closing, Curtis notes that Engelman “is the liveliest person I know.” His support, guidance, and management of the cross-country team ultimately cement him as a phenomenal friend, teammate, and captain.
Engelman is currently the EA record holder in the 3200m and the 4x800m relay, and he is still “looking to break some other records this year.” While they are extremely important and meaningful to him, his favorite memories are those he had with the rest of the team. For example, competing at Nike Nationals in 2022 and winning the triple crown—Inter-Ac champs, Delcos, and PAISAAs—the past few years have been his favorite moments. Engelman humbly looks ahead to EA/Haverford Day, stating, “Not to be overconfident, but we should do very well.”
Now committed to Dartmouth College for track and field, he looks back on his four years of running for the blue and white. Engelman states, “Our coaching staff is incredible. Not just for cross-country, but for track as well. With the coaching we have, it is hard not to find success. It is truly unbeatable.” To Engelman, EA staff and coaching are things that set our programs apart from other schools. Engelman is especially grateful for assistant coach Reverend Michael Palmisano, mentioning that he is “one of the nicest guys I know. He always has a positive outlook on everything, and he’s. Spending time with him every day makes me have a better attitude as well.” However, Engelman also expresses his gratitude for coach Jim Farrell, explaining that “he is one of the most genuine, honest, and nicest people you could ever meet. He is always looking out for you, even outside of athletics.”
Furthermore, reflecting on those who have supported him throughout his four years, Engelman explains, “The camaraderie and brotherhood of being on this team, suffering with everyone, and going through hard practices really make them your brothers. By the end of the year, everyone is so connected.”
Engelman looks towards his future in collegiate running. “At Dartmouth,” he states, “you are away from the rest of the world. You are running in one of the most beautiful places in the country.” He looks to take advantage of the academic, athletic, and social opportunities that the university can provide. Specifically, he looks forward to “running under a super successful coach who knows what he’s doing. With a great group of guys in an unbelievable place, anything’s possible.”