Putting together the best possible start to its 2009 season, the West Genesee cross country teams swept through Central Square in last Wednesday’s opening meets, prevailing 15-48 on the boys side, 20-39 on the girls side.
Projected to be one of Section III Class AA’s top teams this fall, the boys Wildcats backed up the big talk against the Red Hawks by snagging each of the top five finishing spots.
Billy Gabriel led the push, covering the 3.1-mile Central Square course in 17 minutes, 32 seconds, beating teammate Sam Reedy (18:04) by 32 seconds.
Martin Leff finished third, in 18:38, just ahead of John Delallo and Matt Gonnella, each of whom hit the line in 18:39. Also, Matt Serrao took seventh place (19:04), with Jay Rawling in eighth (19:26) and D.J. Campbell ninth in 19:35.
While the girls meet between the Wildcats and Red Hawks proved closer, WG still seized command, thanks to a sweep of the top three positions.
Laura Leff won the individual race in a time of 21:39, a full 15 seconds ahead of Katie Bott, in second place (21:54). Anna Leo snagged third place, two seconds behind Bott.
Amy Hannahan provided the Wildcats a sixth-place clocking of 23:05. Kelly Powell, in eighth place (23:11), led a pack that included Katie Riley (23:20) and Kaitlyn Richards (23:21).
WG comes back to Central Square on Saturday for its first large-scale invitational meet of the season.
