- By Heather Miller
- Sports
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Josh Barber proved his ability as a runner at his second State meet competition at Sunken Meadows State Park on Saturday, November 8th. He and teammate Jon Cleveland represented Class C along with 127 other runners in their class. Chenango Valley's Max Straneva won the title for Class C and Erin Cawley from Newark Valley won the girls' race. The victories of these athletes made this the first time that two Section IV runners won state titles in the same year. The competition from around the state pushed both Barber and Cleveland as they raced through the sandy course and up Cardiac Hill. Cleveland led most of the race, but Barber kicked it in on the last straight away passing several other athletes to place 36th in the time of 18:04.
Josh Barber
Warming up for the meet on the shores of Long Island Sound
Sunken Meadow St. Park (Luke Davis, Josh Barber, Jon Cleveland)
Right in the middle of the pack - leading Cleveland
followed by Barber (#497)
Cleveland crosses the finish line - placing 44th
All Cross Country Photos This Season
Courtesy of Bruce Barber
This was an improvement from his performance in last year's state meet in Norfolk, NY. Cleveland had a strong race and finished just behind his teammate in 18:11 placing 44th. Both athletes were supported by captain Luke Davis, who made the trip down to support his teammates along with family and friends of both Barber and Cleveland. Both athletes are looking forward to one more season of cross country before they graduate.
Next year with an expected team of at least seven seniors, the Bobcats hope to dominate the division and take on Class C at the State Championship Meet on November 14, 2009 in Plattsburg.
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