The Broadalbin- Perth Lady Patriots cross country team have a goal in mind: returning to the State Championships and improving on their sixth place finish from a year ago. While scaling the hills at the course Tuesday afternoon at Gloversville High School, that goal was firmly intact. The two schools split the meet with the Lady Patriots victorious 25-34, and the Gloversville boys getting the win 23-36.
“It was a hard course,” BPHS junior Cadey Nolan said. “But, I tried not to think about the hills too much.”
Nolan was the first across the finish line for the Lady Patriots. Her time of 23 minutes, 52 seconds was good for third place. Gloversville’s Alex Bielli (21:10), and Brittany Craven (22:52) took the top two spots. The Lady Patriots also did what they best: run as a pack. BPHS placed the next six runners across the finish.
“That’s what we do,” BPHS coach Jeff Richards said. “We know we don’t have front runners. Running as a pack is important. They sacrifice for a bigger goal. We knew Alex and Brittany would be out front so we tried to get the next few spots.”
Alexandria Opalka (24:19) finished fourth and was followed closely by Jordan DeNeuville (24:48), Coreena Monroe (24:49), Victoria Opalka (24:51), and Sarah Naple (25:15). The strong finish as a team helped push the Gloversville scores back.
Gloversville’s Kaitlin Senzio (27:41), and Tierney VanDuesen (27:42) were next across the finish to round out the top ten. The race was a victory for BPHS and another first place effort from new comer Alex Bielli, who was competing in cross country for the first time, but no stranger to athletics having played volleyball previously.
“She’s just a raw talent,” Gloversville coach Josh Herod said. “All the training she has done is from her. I really haven’t had a chance to train with her. Definitely nice to have her on the team.”
Joanna Tavolaro (28:42), Victoria Larange (30:41), Julie Capito (33:04), Brianne Mosher 33:49), Alison Becker (36:17), and Makenzie Frye (36:30) completed the run for Broadalbin. The meet saw a different girl finish first for her team once again. Nolan led her team for the first time this season, following Monroe and DeNeuville, who had BPHS top times at invitationals and league meets.
“I think it’s important to train together,” Nolan said. “We push each other. Our pack is tight and we need to help keep each other strong.”
The Lady Patriots goal of returning to states is strong. Accomplishing that will be a challenging task. It’s one they are up for with more league meets and sectionals just weeks away. It’s a goal they know how to get done. Teamwork.
“If they want to get to states they have to run as a team,” Richards said.
For Gloversville; Sarah Ambrosino (29:00), and her twin sister Emily (29:04) finished 11th and 12th , followed by Morgan Reinhart (29:12), Darianna Port (30:02), Brenna Wooster (30:42), and Veronica Peck (30:55).
The Gloversville boys topped BPHS 23-36, but just like the girls meet, a member of the opposing team was first to finish. Alex Hitrick (19:36) crossed first. Gloversville placed the next three starting with Zack Funk (20:22). Jake Perez (21:03) and Tyler Unislawski (21:03) followed ahead of BPHS’ next finisher Lance Jennings (21:42).
“Working together in practices,” said Coach Herod when asked on the reasons for his teams’ success. “Some of the kids had a good summer while training. The guys that didn’t are starting to come around. We are starting to run as a pack.”
Gloversville’s Anthony Hayes (21:52) finished sixth in front of BPHS’ Jacob Mosher (22:08). GHS placed the next three, Tyler Rulison (22:28), Justin Unislawski (22:36), and Chris Hernandez (23:10) rounded out the top ten.
Evan Smith (23:29), and Colby Slezak (23:36) completed the list of finishers for the Patriots. Alex Buck (26:14), Austin Reese (26:41), and LeShawn Green (32:11) were the final three across the line for Gloversville.
Broadalbin- Perth travels to Johnstown next Tuesday in the Foothills Council. Gloversville will host Amsterdam on Tuesday, October 7th..
(Photos by Scott Mulford)
