Submitted by Kurt Wheeler
The Cazenovia girls cross country team achieved another successful season in 2018, highlighted by an undefeated dual meet campaign and a league championship in the OHSL Liberty-National Division.
With 17 girls on the team, the squad was one of the deepest in the program’s history. The Lady Lakers used that exceptional depth to outrun league opponents and place among the top teams in every invitational during the season. The closest any rival came during a dual meet was Hannibal in the season’s opening contest, as the Lakers prevailed 22 to 35. Cazenovia raced to five more dual meet victories by even wider margins to finish a perfect 6-0 to claim the regular season league title.
The story was similar in their regular season invitationals, with the girls finishing first or second among all Class C teams in every big race. Highlights included an overall finish of fourth among 41 teams at Baldwinsville and second among 15 teams at Auburn. The Lakers won the Liberty-National division at the league championship meet, finishing fourth overall among 13 teams. They equaled that at sectionals, finishing number four among 21 Class C teams in CNY.
The Lady Lakers were equally successful in the classroom this fall, with 14 of 17 girls achieving a grade point average of over 90 percent during the season to easily earn NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete Team honors. The top 12 scores were averaged for the state-wide competition, which includes the top three fourths of each team’s roster. The squad’s average score of 94 percent is sure to be competitive in the NYSPHSAA contest.
The Lakers also earned numerous individual honors during the season, highlighted by four spots on the All-League squad. They were led by Clara Rowles and Isla Stover who topped the Liberty-National first-team roster. Molly Hart and Kelly Frost both earned second team honors while Eleanor Wester, Finlay Stover, Mary Williams and Jackie Gamlen all earned honorable mention.
The three senior captains were each honored by the team during their end of season banquet. Rowles received the “Career Contribution Award” as she led the Lakers for the fifth time in her career. Her distinguished career included three top-ten finishes at the State Championship Meet, three seasons as a captain and setting nearly every all-time record maintained by the program. Frost received the “Impact Award” for consistently making a clear and exceptionally positive impact on the team as a runner and leader during her two years on the squad. Gamlen received the “Perseverance Award” for her long-term commitment and contributions to the team. One of only two girls remaining from the Lakers’ fifth place State Championship Meet team in 2015, Gamlen was a key contributor to the program for four varsity seasons.
Despite the loss of these three exceptional seniors, the future looks bright for the Lady Lakers with 14 harriers returning in 2019 and several talented runners ready to move up from this year’s outstanding modified team.
