By Jordan J. Michael

NEW SCOTLAND –– On Tuesday, the Voorheesville girls’ cross-country team ran as a solid pack. On the other side, the boys’ team was separated.

In between spots of rain at New Scotland’s park, the Blackbirds hosted a meet against Schalmont. The Lady Birds won, 17 to 42, and the men lost a close one, 27 to 29. The male and female runners shared the 5K course and frequently crossed paths.

“You see people in front and in back,” said junior Michelyn Little, who won the girls’ race for Voorheesville with a time of 21:15. “It’s less hard to settle here. There’s nothing to pace yourself against.”

Finishing 44 seconds behind Little was senior Jolie Siegel, and 43 seconds behind her was teammate Sawyer Cresap. Casey Morrison came in fourth with a time of 23:03 to cap off a top-four sweep for the Lady Birds.

Carla Plantz and Sarah Madden finished in seventh and eighth place for Voorheesville. Head Coach Steve Relyea was impressed with the girls’ effort.

“They have a very nice pack going,” Relyea said after the race. “This is a good indication of where they are at.”

Relyea said that the fifth spot down to the 10^th is “really close” for the girls. The team can take only seven runners to sectionals. “It’ll be tight,” he said.

Sophomore Joe Becker won the race for the Blackbirds with a time of 18:13, way ahead of the other runners, but Schalmont’s Xavier Baggetta, Jeff Budka, and Anthony Notar took the next three positions. That cost Voorheesville some much needed points.

“We never want to lose, but that was a very close race,” Relyea said. “The guys have to close the gap and get in better shape.”

Becker didn’t mind the dampness and enjoyed the cool weather. “It was a good day,” he said. “There are only a couple of hills to climb.”

Siegel didn’t like the weather. “It’s rainy and gross,” she said after the race. “The humidity makes it harder to breathe and it’s hotter than it seems.”

Despite the weather, the girls’ team is running well. “They’re in a good spot,” said Relyea. “The core group of juniors has been winning races since they were in ninth grade.”

“This sport is all about numbers,” Relyea concluded.