Karrie Baloga Wins First Fall Club XC Race On New York Soil

File Photo

Middletown, NY - Amidst closures, cancelations, and delays, Cross Country racing is finally coming back to the Empire State. While a band of Upstate Sections began their first week of practice, the downstate Sections are caught between the delayed start in Section 1, and the outright postponement to next year. Even where there are races allowed in the home Section, some schools are opting out regardless.

From there, in steps the Club Racing circuit. 12th Rock Sports Facility has laid out a 2.7mile course, and plans to host a Fall XC Series for Open Racing this Fall. Their debut event pulled in athletes from Sections 2, 3, 9, 11, and more, as they search for racing in a season of uncertainty.

A familiar face found themselves at the head of the pack. Karrie Baloga (Cornwall), arguably the State's Top Returner without a Season this Fall, kicked off a Season on the Club Circuit with a win at 14:55.8 for the Off-Distance. Fresh off her 5K on the track, McKinley Fielding (Carthage), the transfer student from Germany, took second overall. Kate Putman (CNS) rounded out the Top 3.

On the Boys Side, New Paltz Senior Riley Brutvan outlasted Trinity School Junior Nikhil Dentale for the win at 13:51.5. The off-distance makes the race hard to get a true gauge of the effort.

Full Results - Courtesy Fulton Accurate Timing

12th Rock Fall Series | Race #1 | Saturday, September 26th at 12th Rock Sports

Girls Top Finishers

Boys Top Finishers