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That all changed, Thursday and Friday at the IAC Track and Field Championships, held at Dryden HS in which it proved individual talent can always beat "numbers" in this sport (referring to teams with a large amount of kids).
Ending Dryden's 5 year home meet, dual meet and IAC meet winning streak, Lansing boys pulled the unthinkable, beating out rival Dryden 104.5 to 89 for team title honors. This is the first IAC Championship for the boys since 2003.Boys meet MVP, Henry Potter, led the Bobcats with a 3rd place finish in the 400m, 2nd place finish in the 4 x 800m relay (H. Potter, E. Potter, Jon Cleveland, Josh Barber), 1st place in the 400m hurdles and a 1st place in the 800m run. What was impressive about this is that Potter pulled a rather hard double, winning the 400m hurdles then coming back 20 minutes later to capture the 800m. The talented Senior definitely strutted his stuff at these championships and will be heavily relied upon in the next few weeks.
Brother Eddy Potter, in the meets closest race of the 2 days, was barely edged at the tape in the 3200m run, finishing 2nd in a personal best time of 10:01.5. Fellow Sophomore Josh Barber, finished a close 4th in 10:13.0, also a PR. This was huge for Lansing boys as they picked up 12 crucial points on Dryden at the end of the meet. It secured the team title.
Senior Ken Tillapaugh also had a remarkable 2 days for Lansing as he leaped to season best attempts in the Long Jump (20' 9.50") and Triple Jump (40' 3") placing 2nd and 5th respectively. He had been struggling to find his groove all year in these events, and picked no better time to step up than at IAC's.
Senior distance runner Ryann Cretney was named Girls IAC meet MVP as she was 1st in the 4 x 800m Relay (Cretney, Kathryn Shaw, Christine Fuchs, Katy Bland), 1st in the 1500m, 2nd in the 2000m Steeplechase and 1st in a school record 10:36.5 in the 3000m run (in which she won in a solo effort)
Ryann has picked the right time of year to start running with some passion. Each and every race she looks stronger and fitter than her competition. It can only be a good sign that something impressive will happen soon. The winter preparation of hundred's of miles in the cold, wet weather has made her strong physically, tailored by a recent change in workouts to benefit some more speed is what has made her a versatile track and field athlete.
Junior's Jenna Lamb and Anna Mapes also had big days on the track for the Lady Bobcats. Mapes placed 4th in the 400m (1:02.34) and anchored home the 4 x 400m Relay (Lamb, Fuchs, Bland, Mapes) (4:12.96) to finish a close second the rival Waverly. This was a season best time for the relay and may have the potential to become a State Qualifying event for these girls.
Lamb, who had only as of late been working out with the team on a consistent basis, came up huge with a personal best 4th place in the 800m run (2:28.39) and 6th in the 400m Dash (1:04.34) The talented Junior has a after school job that conflicts with track practice from time to time. She has been cross training in the pool, which has kept her mentally and physically fit. Both Mapes and Lamb will be next years go to girls in the middle distance events.
The Girls 4 x 100m Relay of Carol Melice, Lindsay Petry, Kathryn Hornibrook and Chloe Ryan also scored a big victory over rival Waverly, finishing 1st in 51.58. The battle between Lansing and Waverly is only beginning as these two teams will face each other two more times with the last being a trip to the State Championships for the winner. The girls have been focused and dedicated all year and know what lies ahead.
Lansing Track and Field returns to action, Tuesday May 27th for the Class C Sectional Steeplechase/Pentathlon and Pole Vault meet, at Vestal HS, then will compete for the Class C Sectional Championship, Thursday at Binghamton HS.
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