Archive: Sports

In what can only be described as their best team performance of the season, the Lansing girls cross country team made a run for the Section IV Class C Championship title.  They were the underdogs, up against Newark Valley, a program that has won ten of the last twelve titles.  In the end, Newark Valley was victorious with 41 points to Lansing's 55.

For context, Newark Valley won last year's title with 24 points, Waverly took second with 91 points, and Lansing was third with 103 points.  The top five finishers in the race last year were from two schools: Windsor's Kaylee Stone won and was followed by four Newark Valley runners.  The top five finishers in this year's race were from four schools.

This year's race went out fast with runners from several schools staying in the mix from the gun.  The Ladycats were in the hunt from the beginning, led by Mikaela Garcia who raced to a third place finish and secured the second individual qualifying position for the NYSPHSAA Championships.  This will be the second year that Garcia represents her school and section at the state meet.

Fellow Ladycat Leigh Miller narrowly missed her first trip to the state championship with her 9th place finish in a new personal best time.  The overall winner of the Class C race was once again Stone, now in her senior year.  Stone has won four consecutive sectionals titles.  Newark Valley sophomore Marissa Silba was the individual runner up.  In addition to Stone, Garcia, and Silba, the rest of Newark Valley's team will be representing the section at this Saturday's championships along with the other three individual qualifiers: sophomore Kai Sutterby of Watkins Glen, and junior Katie Flynn and sophomore Shyanne Lawton, both of Chenango Forks.

On the boys side, Watkins Glen continued to demonstrate their dominance, leaving no need to explain their third place ranking in the state.  Led by senior Patrick Hazlitt, the team had seven runners in the top ten (and nine in the top twelve).  Nearly completing a perfect sweep, the Senecas had a score of 17.  Oneonta would take home the runner up plaque with 95 points.

Although the Lansing boys did not contend for the title, the young program (they will not be graduating any seniors) continued to demonstrate the growth that has been characteristic of this season. They placed 6th at this year's sectional championship, up from 8th last year and 10th in the year prior.  Lansing junior Liam Hulsebosch was the lead scorer for his team, breaking into the top 20 with his 18th place finish.

Complete results, including commentary, photos, and results from the Section IV Class A, B, C, and D races, are available online.

This Saturday, runners from across the state of NY will be traveling back to the site of the sectional championships.  Chenango Valley State Park will host the NYSPHSAA Championships with races starting at 9am.

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