The Cazenovia girls cross country squad opened their fall 2017 OHSL Liberty League season with a convincing victory over Jordan-Elbridge on Sept. 13. The Lakers overcame surprisingly hot conditions on their home course at Fenner to take the top two places and seven of the first ten overall to win 21 to 38.
Clara Rowles and Meggie Hart crossed the finish line in unison at 20:46 to lead the field, more than 45 seconds ahead of the first JE harrier. The duo ran a steady race in what they hope will be the start of a journey back to the New York State Championship Meet, where both competed last year.
There was a brief window of opportunity for the Eagles as their top two runners earned the number three and four places, but the Cazenovia pack closed the door, taking five, six and seven to win the meet.
Kelly Frost was third for the team in her first scholastic cross country race in a time of 22:58 with fellow first year runner Isla Stover earning fourth for the team in 23:22. Veteran Jackie Gamlen closed out the scoring for the Lakers, capturing the critical fifth spot for the team in 24:22.
The Eagles placed one more runner in the top 10, but Isabel VanTassel and (25:25) and Jenna Steinberg (26:03) both displaced the final two JE scorers to boost the Lakers’ margin of victory. Eva Gagnon (27:29), Allison Raymond (27:34) and Chloe Smith (28:35) also finished for Cazenovia in their first dual meet of the season.
The Lakers journeyed to Wayne Central School (near Rochester), site of the 2017 New York State Championship Meet, on Sept. 16 and will travel to Hannibal on Sept. 20 for their second league contests of the season.
