Voorheesville and BKW runners compete in New York State championships
By Jordan J. Michael
NORTHPORT A handful of local cross-country runners qualified for the state meet at Sunken Meadow State Park in Long Island, held on Saturday with a 3.1-mile course.
The Berne-Knox-Westerlo boys and the Voorheesville girls sent full teams to the state meet as Class C champions in Section II. The Voorheesville boys’ and the BKW girls’ teams each sent two individual runners.
“We came down here in 2002 and the terrain was as tough as it was then,” said BKW Coach Bill Tindale. “The sand made for difficult footing. Some liked the course, some didn’t. Everyone had a good time though.”
“It was a little rainy and it was a new environment,” said Voorheesville Coach Steve Relyea. “It was a hard, hilly course. Runners don’t usually see that many hills.”
The Bulldogs finished sixth out of 11 teams with 148 points and the Ladybirds had 187 points for a seventh place showing.
Conor Cashin was the top finisher for the Voorheesville boys in 31st place with a time of 17:53.40. “Cashin is a very strong runner and he is always a front runner in Class C,” said Relyea. “He was looking for a top-10 finish but the course was quite difficult.”
Courtney Tedeschi of BKW came in 24th to lead the girls with a finishing time of 20:46.93. “She’s doing amazing things as an eighth-grader,” Tindale said. “She leads a very healthy lifestyle and her miles will add up over the next four years.”
Remaining boys’ results: Connor Devine, BKW, 40th (18:06.90); Josh Glick, BKW, 60th (18:39.80); Jeff Moller, BKW, 65th (18:42.20); Sean Reynolds, BKW, 66th (18:51.30); Dave Haverly, BKW, 68th (18:53.80); Derek Struck, BKW, 78th (19:06.30); and Ian Powell, Voorheesville, 87th (19:17.80).
Remaining girls’ results: Michelyn Little, Voorheesville, 35th (21:10.22); Christina Bartonicek, BKW, 64th (22:25.78); Casey Morrson, Voorheesville, 74th (22:49.14); Sawyer Cresap, Voorheesville, 76th (22:54.23); Grace Giampaglia, Voorheesville, 83rd (23:08.04); Zoe Edmunds, Voorheesville, 85th (23:17.46); and Sarah Madden, Voorheesville, 90th (23:37.32).
The Blackbirds will say farewell to Powell, Giampaglia, Nathan Bub, and a few others. “Losing great seniors is always tough,” said Relyea. “You lose some but then you gain others. We’re deep enough to do well.”
Bulldog seniors Bartonicek, Glick, Haverly, and Moller will leave a mark on the team for next year. “We will lose their leadership and talent,” said Tindale. “They’ve been good mentors to the younger runners, so it leaves us in a good place.”