by Kurt Wheeler
CAZENOVIA – The Cazenovia girls indoor track team gathered recently to celebrate their successful 2022-23 campaign and had lots to cheer about, highlighted by the Section III Class B-2 championship banner, the program’s ninth sectional title earned since 2011.
Overall, the girls won five multi-school meets during the season and came in second place in the remaining four contests for a win-loss equivalent of 151-4.
Only Class AA powers Cicero-North Syracuse, Liverpool and Rome Free Academy and eventual Class B-1 champion Westhill topped the Lakers over the course of the season.
Cazenovia athletes also earned an unprecedented number of individual honors, highlighted by 11 individual sectional championship medals, 10 first team all-league honors and eight second team all-league awards. Eighteen of the girls advanced to the elite state qualifying meet in February.
The Lady Lakers were equally successful in the classroom over the winter with 33 of their 43 athletes earning individual NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete awards by achieving a grade point average of at last 90 during the season.
Overall, the top three quarters of their roster earned an average of 94.88 in the state-wide scholarship competition during the winter season.
Given this, it was a challenge to recognize only a small number of individuals for team awards on a squad with so much talent and depth.
Susie Pittman, league and sectional champion in the pole vault and an all-league honoree in high and triple as well, was chosen as the most valuable field athlete.
Riley Knapp (sectional champion in two events) and Grace Dolan (all-league in three events) were selected as co-recipients of the most valuable track athlete honor. Izzy Stromer-Galley, who was a sectional champion in two events and all league in two in her first season of track, earned Rookie of the Year honors.
The team gave special recognition to its 10 seniors who played a pivotal role in leading the team throughout the championship season.
Captains Corinne Albicker, Grace Dolan, Bonnie Pittman and Faith Wheeler also praised the underclass members of the squad for their positive attitude, work ethic and enthusiasm throughout the winter.
Despite the pending graduation of so many stellar athletes, the future remains bright for the Lakers, who will look forward to 33 returning athletes, including 15 sectional qualifiers, next season.
