At various points through times, the Skaneateles and Cazenovia cross country teams have each enjoyed their periods of ruling over the top of whatever leagues in which they were positioned.
As it stands now, it’s Skaneateles that is strong on the boys side, following up its Small School division win in the Baldwinsville Invitational by knocking off Cazenovia in last Wednesday’s Laker duel at the Sean Googin Sports Complex.
Now with the no. 8 state Class C ranking, Skaneateles prevailed 19-37 as Caleb Bender pulled away from a tight pack by finishing in 17 minutes, 37 seconds.
In all, Skaneateles had four of the top five spots, Matt Persampieri needing 18:05 to edge Cazenovia’s Noah DeRochie (18:07) for second place as Joe Norris was fourth in 18:09 and Chris Burgher got fifth place in 18:13.
It took Connor Gell getting to seventh place in 18:40 for Skaneateles to clinch the team win, though Will Girzadas also ran well, finishing 10th in 19:15.
It was the exact opposite in the girls race as Skaneateles, despite its new no. 21 state ranking in Class C, was overwhelmed by state no. 9-ranked Cazenovia in an 18-42 defeat.
Georgia McSwain covered the Fenner course in 21:34, but that put her in third place as Cazenovia’s Clara Rowles prevailed in 20:50 and Isla Stover finished second in 21:13.
In all, Cazenovia claimed five of the top six spots, with Molly Hart (22:10), Finlay Stover (22:30) and Kelly Frost (22:42) ahead of Skaneateles’ Sarah Tallerico, who was seventh in 22:58. Hope Cross-Jaya gained ninth place in 23:12.
Now both Skaneateles sides would run in Saturday’s McQuaid Invitational in Rochester, where in the boys Varsity A-2 race the Lakers were fourth in the team standings.
Bender got to fifth place in 16:16.5, with Burgher 39th among team runners in 17:17.9. Morris (17:22.8) and Persampieri (17:26.8) were also in the top 50 ahead of Gell (17:56.0), Girzadas (18:09.5) and Tony Dirubbo (20:06.6).
Finishing 16th in its girls A-2 race at McQuaid, the Lakers had Georgia McSwain finish 18th among team runners in 20:00.2. Tallerico, in 21:04.3, just missed the top 50 as she beat out Elyse Osmun (21:10.5), with Cross-Jaya (22:02.20, Ellie McSwain (23:15.4) and Lillian Yengo (23:24.8) trailing.
Skaneateles would compete at Hannibal Tuesday for its only contest this week.
