On a perfect conditions weekend in Saratoga Springs, senior
Karrie Baloga (Cornwall) had the race of her career (so far). New York has five historical courses, nicknamed "the Majors," where athletes have been contesting Cross Country for years. Saratoga Performing Arts Center in the Saratoga Spa State Park has long held some of the best competitions in the country, spanning 60 years. And now, Baloga is the best ever among them.
The
Burnt Hills Invitational is the last time teams from outside Section 2 are able to get their feet on the course before the locals turn to Championship Season, and the 40th edition of the event didn't disappoint. It's largest rendition ever, Section 9 sent their boys team in Monroe-Woodbury to come and take home the team title, as well as the merge.
For the Girls, Section 9 was all about Karrie Baloga.
Running in the Division 3 Race (based on their Class B status), Baloga didn't have the competition of the Saratoga Girls out front. Given the clear runway for a fast time, Baloga chased after the pace bikes, and never let up the pace. 5:23 through the first mile, a pace she would average the subsequent two miles as well, she blitzed the course many in the Capital Region call home. Coming down the finishing straight with clock in mind, Baloga crossed the line in 16:26.3 officially.
Full Splits
1K - 3:08
1mile - 5:23
2K - 6:43
3K - 9:50
4K - 13:40
3.04mile - 16:26.3
The mark puts her in good company.
Many believe the 2017-18-19 string of female performances in New York to be the '
New Renaissance of Running', where we saw All-Time athletes like
Katelyn Tuohy, Kelsey Chmiel, and
Claire Walters establish Course Records Statewide that would stand for years. Baloga's mark here took down one of those records, previously held by
Kelsey Chmiel (Saratoga Springs) at 15:34.0. Chmiel's mark had taken down that of
Nicole Blood (Saratoga), who had run 16:41.9 in 2004. Blood then went on to finish 3rd at the first NXN, leading her team to a team title. Chmiel herself, has three silver medal finishes at NXN. Third on the SPAC All-Time list is
Erin Davis (Saratoga), New York's second-ever Foot Locker Champion. In total, only 8 athletes have ever broken 17mins on the storied course.
As we mentioned prior, it's good company to be in.
The performance represents a breakthrough for Baloga, earning her the highest Speed Rating for any athlete in the Country so far in 2022. Not only that, it is the 7th highest Speed Rating ever by a New York Athlete, establishing a benchmark of 161.23. While not precise year-over-year, it gives strong context to the elite company Baloga finds herself amongst, past the All-Time lists of a singular course.
One week from her effort, Baloga will be taking one last serious shot at a more local course, that of Bear Mountain. This Friday is the OCIAA Championships, over the 3mile distance. Ironically, her target is a very familiar face, and a very familiar time. Her School Record Holder, Aisling Cuffe (Class of 2010), ran 16:27.6 to establish what was then a Course Record for Bear Mountain, just one second slower than Baloga's effort at SPAC. Katelyn Tuohy would have gone on to break that Record in 2017, when she ran 15:55.30, but the School Record remains a tantalizing incentive.
Cuffe's effort in 2010 garnered a Speed Rating of 161.8. As reminder, Baloga's from Saturday was 161.23. The chase is on, and the possibility is there. Tune in Friday for the outcome.
Top Speed Ratings Ever (Before Saturday)
