Bombers, Chiefs, Hornets win girl's XC titles in VII

ELIZABETHTOWN | The Lake Placid varsity girls cross country team was tested at the Section VII meet Nov. 5 but were able to claim the Class D title, led by overall individual champion Samantha Damico. "I thought I would go to varsity because I was running five miles when I started at modified practice, but I did not know that I would be running the fastest times on my team and now in the section," said Damico, who crossed the line in 17:40.3. "This was a super-fun course because everyone can see the runners and you can hear everyone cheering. It is great to know the whole team will be going to states." Kai McKinnon (20:02.7), Lilly Rother (20:20.8), Harley Cohen (21:00.), and Ellen Lansing (22:12.2) were the five scoring runners for the Blue Bombers, while Jenna Fay (23:32.2) and Annie Rose-McCandish will also compete at the state meet net week. Erin Roth ran the course in 30:35.7 as the Bomber seventh runner for the meet. They will be joined by Seton Catholic senior Falene Yang, who is going to her fourth state meet after competing as the lone runner for the Knights this season. "It was difficult mentally not having someone to practice with, but I learned more about myself by just going out and running, and my coach has been on most of my runs and has been my rock to help me get through," said Yang. "I am super excited because I love going to the state meet and getting the chance to compete against different runners. I like going to the line not knowing what is in store for me." The Class D state team also includes Moriah/Boquet Valley's Keira Callahan and a trio of Ticonderoga Sentinels in Hannah Porter, Avery Blanchard, and Isabelle Burroughs, as the Sentinels were only three points behind the Blue Bombers (26-29) in the standings. "This was my favorite year ever, and this race was so amazing," said Hannah Porter. "I am so proud of my team. We have not had a team like this in a long time and it is amazing to be sending three girls to states." "This has been a fun season and so different," said Avery Blanchard. "We have been hyping each other up before each meet and telling each other we can do it. It has been so much fun having a group of girls that run so well together." "I was excited for our race," said Isabelle Burroughs. "I started the season on varsity, so moving up was a lot harder, but it has been rewarding." Class C Saranac took four of the top five positions among Class C runners, claiming the sectional title over Saranac Lake. "We all did a good job and I had a good season," said Gillian Miner. "I hope we do the best we can at the state meet." "We have worked really hard to get to this point and we were able to pull through today," said Molly Denis. "We are in a really good position as a team because we have a lot of young girls coming up in the program." Sienna Boulds (18:29.1) had the top time for the Class C runners while leading the Chiefs, who also qualified Laura Denial (19:41), Hannah Hamel (19:42.9), Denis (19:54.6), Miner (20:36.2), Danielle Borner (20:53.1.), and Kaelyn Fay (20:55.1) to the state team. They will be joined by Saranac Lake runners Megan Wilson (20:28), Addison Ash (21:00.3), and Zoe Carpenter (21:00.3), Peru's Ophelia Lancto (20:26.2) and Northeastern Clinton's Alex Cone (20:44.1). Class B Plattsburgh High was the lone Class B representative for Section VII and will send a team of Gianna Coryea (19:32.8), Phoebe Bruso (22:00.9), Audrie Bilow (24:14), Lily Clermont (25:40.9), and Eveyanna Grimshaw (29:01.1) to the NYSPHSAA state championships, which will take place at Chenango State Park in Chenango Forks on Saturday, Nov. 13, with the Class B girl's race at 9 a.m., followed by the Class C race at 9:30 a.m. and the Class D race at 10 a.m.

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Bombers, Chiefs, Hornets win girl's XC titles in VII

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