Lawson Rewrites History at Section 4 Champs, Other Title Hopefuls Advance


Section 4 Championships Coverage

Results: Boys A - Boys B - Boys C - Boys D - Girls A - Girls B - Girls C - Girls D

Race Videos: Boys A - Boys B - Boys C - Boys D - Girls A - Girls B - Girls C - Girls D

Photo Galleries: Boys A - Boys B - Boys C - Boys D - Girls A - Girls B - Girls C - Girls D

Class A girls race which saw Top 15 National Ranked Jessica Lawson and Abby Wheeler square off again for the title of class champion. Both girls had already notched major wins this season, whether at McQuaid and Manhattan. Lawson turned on the afterburners late in the race to surge ahead, coming away with the win and breaking Molly Huddle's course record of 17:35, set back in 2001. On the team side, however, Abbey Wheeler would lead her squad back to States. Elmira's Coach Cardamone said, "We have been in battles with Corning and Ithaca all season, we knew this would be no different. The team has really put it together the past 2 weeks and we seem to be getting better and better, when it counts. We are extremely excited to be taking a team to the state meet again."

Class A Boys race was a wide open race which featured Brian Bates of Corning, Ben Cardamone of Elmira and Ithaca's Jake Avery. Avery came away with the win with Cardamone a close second. Coach Cardamone had this to say about Runner up Ben Cardamone along with teammate and state meet qualifier Nick Latshaw, "They both had race plans that they followed to perfection, and it was truly a spectacular day." Brian Bates lead his team to the sectional class A team title with Ithaca close behind in the runner up spot. Coach Cartwright had this to say about his Boys' team win, "It was a total team effort everyone stepped up and did their part. We are excited to have our team represent section 4 for the 4th straight year."

Class B Boys race saw Dan Schaffer come away with the sectional title and lead his team to a team title. Coach Mike Cordi had this to say about his team. "We went into Sectionals knowing the other teams were coming after us. Our pre-race plan was to take it out fast for the first half of the race and then do what it takes to secure the win in the second half. Owego hung tough and made us work for our win. We're looking forward to giving our best effort at states."

Class B Girls race Union Endicott's Emily McKay came away with an impressive victory leading wire to wire. Vestal's girls with some very impressive pack running came away with the team win.

Class C Boys race was a hard fought battle between Watkins Glen's Patrick Hazlitt and Luke Sutton of Susquehanna Valley. Luke Sutton came away with the sectional individual title. Watkins Glen led by Hazlitt came away with the team title.

Class C Girls race individual title was won by an impressive margin by Kaylee Stone of Windsor. The team title went to Newark Valley in an easy win and an impressive group of underclassman. Coach Trippany had this to say about the girls team win. "We were very pleased with how the girls ran at Sectionals. They ran with confidence and patience, followed the race plan very well and helped each other throughout the race. For such a young team, they have become a pretty solid unit. Following their focused win at IACs, they were able to become motivated to put forth another solid effort. We thought going into Sectionals that our top 4 had an outside shot at placing in the top 5 and that our 5th and 6th runners could perhaps place in the top 14, but we definitely did not expect all of it to actually happen. That it did is a testament to the girls' internal drive and their desire to perform well going into States. They have come a very long way since August and Coach D'Arcy and I are more impressed each day by their collective development. We're looking forward to seeing their performance at States next Saturday. It'll be a major challenge."

Class D Girls race individual title went to Trumansburg Molly McQueen as she pulled away in the final stages of the race. Led McQueen the Trumansburg girls took the team title and Elmira Notre Dame led by Payton Yoder in their second year took the runner up spot.

Class D Boys individual title went to Declan Kottmeier of Delhi making his third straight state meet. The team title went to Elmira Notre Dame's boys in their second year led by team captain Matt Karee who is making his second straight state meet appearance. Coach Naylor had this to say about his Boys' team, "The boys worked hard all season and as a young team learn very quickly how to compete. They went into the meet with a race plan and followed it to perfection. We are looking forward to the opportunity to run at states and see what we can do."

Section 4 Championships Coverage

Results: Boys A - Boys B - Boys C - Boys D - Girls A - Girls B - Girls C - Girls D

Race Videos: Boys A - Boys B - Boys C - Boys D - Girls A - Girls B - Girls C - Girls D

Photo Galleries: Boys A - Boys B - Boys C - Boys D - Girls A - Girls B - Girls C - Girls D