by Kurt Wheeler
JORDAN – The Cazenovia girls track and field team outdistanced a talented Jordan-Elbridge squad Wednesday afternoon, prevailing 93-47 to remain unbeaten.
This win moved the Lakers into sole possession of first place in the OHSL Liberty National Division with one week remaining in the regular season.
For the second week in a row, the Lakers opening event set the tone for the whole meet as the 4×800 relay turned in an impressive performance.
Cazenovia built a seemingly unbeatable lead during the first three legs only to have J-E’s Vassi Klock, the top-rated 800 meter runner in the league, surge back to within four meters of anchor runner Mary Williams.
Williams refused to relinquish first, fighting to victory in 2:35.8, her best time of the season. Cazenovia’s total of 10:43.5 is the fastest in the league this spring (with J-E’s time of 10:45.7 number two). Claire Braaten, Nadia Segall and Lauren McLean all contributed to the winning effort.
Cazenovia swept the hurdle events with Melanie Michael winning both the 100 (17.5 seconds) and 400 meter (1:16.6) distances. The warm weather produced fast times as Lili Gavitt (17.9) and Caryn Gagnon (18.0) both turned in season bests to qualify for sectionals while Bonnie Pittman and Mia Chesbrough helped dominate the 400 hurdles
J-E did well i the sprints, going 1-2 in both the 100 and 200 and winning the 4×100, but they pushed the Lakers to strong performances as well with the 4×100 of Michael, Gagnon, Corinne Albicker and Katie Whitney clocking their fastest time of 54.0 seconds.
Whitney (28.8 seconds) and Laura Fitzgerald (28.7, third place) ran their fastest 200s of the spring to hit sectional times. Lily Clonan (1:04.0) and Lauren McLean (1:07.1) also turned in personal bests in the 400.
Cazenovia’s distance runners countered by earning 26 of 27 points in the 800, 1,500 and 3,000. Nadia Segall led the group, winning the 1,500 (6:11.5) and 3,000 (season best of 12:32.0).
Mary Williams and Dinah Gifford also scored in both events for the Lakers while Faith Wheeler (2:45.7) and Claire Braaten (2:46.5) teamed up for a 1-2 finish in the 800.
The 4×400 was also dynamic, running the fastest time of the season in the OHSL Liberty League. Michael, Braaten, McLean and Clonan teamed up for an exceptional total of 4:29.8.
Lili Gavitt led the Lakers in the field events, winning the shot at 25 feet 10 inches with Meg Lawton and Kate Smith in support for the sweep. She also added points in the long jump and high jump.
The Eagles won four of six events in the field but couldn’t gain on the Lakers overall as Cazenovia used its well-balanced team to pick up second and third in each event.
Katie Pavelchak led the Lakers in the high jump, clearing 4’8”, while Kylie Anthony took second overall in the long jump at 13’5”. Bonnie Pittman was second in the triple jump (29’4”) with Ava Gavitt also scoring. Danielle Smith (65’2”) and Faith Wheeler kept the score close in the discus, taking second and third.
Cazenovia swept the pole vault to close out the scoring and lock in the victory with Christina Brown (7 feet) and Wheeler leading the way for the Lakers.
Despite winning eight of the 17 events, J-E’s talented crew was too few in number to overcome Cazenovia’s deep line-up. Twenty-one Lakers scored as they won nine events including two relays and six sweeps of individual events.
Cazenovia (5-0) will host Altmar-Parish-Williamstown next Wednesday as it strives to finish undefeated and clinch the league title.
