Photos: BKW, Voorheesville, And Guilderland Run Fast In the Blackbird Invitational

On a bright and sunny Saturday morning, September 11th, Berne-Knox-Westerlo, Guilderland, and Voorheesville cross-country teams took part in the Blackbird Invitational at Swift Town Park in New Scotland. The Voorheesville girls won the Division 2 title, the boys took 12th. Guilderland girls finished fifth, the boys’ 5th. BKW girls had no score and the boys 10th.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Off and running: The Voorheesville girls cross-country team takes off from the starting line led by Mariem Sayahi. Sayahi won with a time of 19:39.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Leading the way: Voorheesville’s Mariem Sayahi took to the hill in the woods by herself as she won easily over her teammate Cailtin McCarthy with a time of 19:39.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Close battle: Voorheesville’s Cailtin McCarthy battles a Fonda-Fultonville as they run up the wooded hill on the first lap of the 5K race. McCarthy finished second with a time of 21:06.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Going with teammates: Voorheesville’s Lindsay Wight (710) and Merrian Brick (695) both run up the hill with a Troy runner. Wight finished fifth with a time of 21:32 and Brick finished 11th with a time of 22:39.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Running graceful: Bulldogs’ Natalie Elble sprints down the final stretch towards the finish line ahead of another runner. Elble finished 40th with a time of 25:45.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Flying ponytail: BKW’s Zoey Lounsbury floats towards the finish line on Saturday morning. Lounsbury finished in 48th with a tie of 26:24.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Feeling pain: BKW’s Katelyn Burtt looks at the finish line as she runs quickly to finish her race. Burtt finished in 60th with a time of 28:29.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Pack running: Voorheesville’s Caelan Lamberton-Dunham, left, along with BKW’s Arlan Wright battle with four other runners to conquer the hill on the first lap. Lamberton-Dunham finished in 15th with a time of 19:50 and Wright finished 38th with a time of 21:51.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Determined: Blackbirds’ Nick Reilly looks ahead as he makes it halfway up the hill on his first lap on Saturday morning. Reilly finished 28th with a time of 21:11.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Sailing away: The Guilderland girls cross-country team sprint off the starting line as they make their way onto the course on Saturday morning. The team overall finished in third with 89 points.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Serious look: Guilderland’s Beth Irwin sprints up the hill on her first lap of the Division one girls race on Saturday morning. Irwin finished 11th with a time of 21:31.

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

Drafting with the competition: Guilderland’s Finn Burke runs alongside a Scotia-Glenville runner and tries to catch an Albany Academy runner as they take to the hill in their first lap. Burke finished third with a time of 17:27.