The Broadalbin-Perth girls varsity cross country team turned in another strong team effort Tuesday afternoon placing five of the top six runners in defeating Amsterdam 21-37 at Bob’s Trees in Galway.
“Our goal is to run a tighter pack,” said BPHS coach Jeff Richards, who saw his team pick up the second through fifth spots in the race in gaining the win. “[AHS runner] Olivia Lazarou is an outstanding athlete and a front runner, but our pack picked up the next five spots. We are going for sectionals and we have to try to get our 1-5 runners tighter. The course at Monroe-Woodbury was a tough one this past weekend and it took a lot out of us, but our pack did its job today.”
Lazarou ran a time of 18:15.00 which was over a minute faster than the next finisher and 31 seconds faster than her time against Gloversville last week. Lazarou and the Amsterdam team were also part of a local contingent that raced over the weekend at Monroe-Woodbury, the site of this years’ state championships.
“It was a great experience,” Lazarou said. “We ran as scheduled in the afternoon, and the heat wasn’t bad on the course. There was a breeze at times. It was pretty nice out there.”
BPHS junior Celina Onzo and freshman Gabrielle Larsen raced each other for the second place with Onzo coming in at 19:34.00 only a half second faster than her teammate. They were followed by sophomores Mackenzie Dezolt (19:41) and Jordyn DeNeuville (19:42) with senior Cadey Nolan in sixth at 20:07.
“We run through as a pack in practice,” said Nolan, who is in her third year on the varsity team. “We always try to stay together.”
Amsterdam’s Kayla Sondrup, an eighth grader in her first year on varsity finished seventh with a time of 21:57 which was over a minute faster than her first varsity run against Gloversville last week. In fact her time wasn’t the only improvement. Junior Mariah Rackowski (22:24), and sophomore Kayla Dzikowicz (26:43) also improved their times from last week. Amsterdam’s top five finishers from last week all improved their times. Junior Mikayla Pine (12th) and freshman Dalia Quinones (19th) also finished strong for Amsterdam.
Renee Bellinger (10th), Mackenzie Frye (11th), Jessie Brooks (13th), Carley Nolan (14th), Allyson Becker (16th), Breanne Mosher (17th), Julie Capito (19tth), and Brooke McClarren (20th) all turned in top twenty finishes for the Lady Patriots.
“Their pack has a lot of quality depth,” AHS coach Stu Palczak said of the BPHS team. “I was impressed with them, and I was impressed with the improvement from our kids. They took it to heart the discussions we had in practice that we need to improve. We had a consistent practice and it showed. Both boys and girls.”
In the boy’s meet, Broadalbin- Perth’s Lance Jennings and Alex Hitrick finished first and second, leading the way to a 21-38 victory over Amsterdam, and the school’s first Foothills Council win in more than two years.
“All that summer training is starting to pay off,” BPHS coach Jeff Richards said. “I’m proud of Alex (Hitrick) for getting the young kids out there during the summer. This is a good Foothills Council win for us.”
Gabe Fernadez was the top finisher on the Amsterdam team with a time of 16:54, followed by Ryan Kamanu (17:27) and then four BPHS runners: Jacob Mosher (18:01), Noah Marek (18:15), Wyatt Couperus (18:16), and James Mosher (18:26). Amsterdam’s next runner was another senior, Jon Knack.
Seventh grader Trevor Dzikozicz was the next runner to cross the line for AHS with a time of 19:11. Freshman Jacob Reed (12th), sophomores John Companion (14th), Thomas Knack (15th), and Antonio Spagnola (16th) all turned in top twenty finishes for AHS. Sophomore Evan Smith (11th), and Freshman Devin Becker (13th) rounded out the top BPHS finishers.
“They (BPHS) were stronger and better,” AHS coach Kevin Wilary said. “BP did an awesome job. This is a good rivalry to have. We beat them last year and they got us this year.”
Amsterdam returns to action next Tuesday with a meet at Johnstown. Broadalbin-Perth has Gloversville and Johnstown remaining on its Foothills Council schedule.
Motyl places another top time for AHS modified
Amsterdam eighth grader Corey Motyl posted a time of 9:31.00 to lead all runners in the modified race. Cuba Fernandez (9:32), Tommy Ziskin (9:50), and Brandon Ribot-Diaz (9:52) followed Motyl for Amsterdam. Micah Smith (10:03) was the top runner for the Broadalbin-Perth boys.
Gabby Maroto (10:57) and Sydney Szczepanik (10:59) were the top girls finishers for AHS. Sarah Larsen (11:52) and Aubrey Jennings (12:00) led the Broadalbin-Perth girls.
