ADK Cross-Country Runners Vie for Titles Today
I have seen some of the greats perform at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Aerosmith, Bob Seeger and the Silver Bullet Band, Foreigner, Guns N Roses and many more. Tomorrow I get the opportunity to watch some more greats perform. The best cross-country runners in Section II will converge on Saratoga State Park to vie for the championship in their respective classes. Several Adirondack League teams will compete looking for individual and team titles.
The majority of the ADK runners will compete in Class D. A handful of runners from the league have a good shot at recording stellar finishes.
The favorite on the boys side in Class D appears to be Chatham’s Brycen Hayner. Mayfield may be the team to beat in the team competition, but Lake George should not be overlooked. The Warriors won the ADK title a week ago. Isaac and Oliver Herrick are the top two runners for Lake George.
Brody Olden of Warrensburg won the championship race for the ADK. Logan Reynolds of Hartford finished second and should be a threat for a top 10 finish. Hayden Sirchia of Corinth could also be a contender. Other runners to watch for from the league include David Anderson, Collin Monroe and Gage Morris of North Warren/Johnsburg/Minerva.
In Class C Bennett Melita of Fonda-Fultonville may be close to a lock to wear the crown. Melita has been dominant this season and recently was victorious over the course in the Greenwich Invitational. The Braves may also have a leg up for the team title.
Granville-Whitehall will compete in Class C. Quinn Johnson and Matt Pietryka have been the top two runners for Granville-Whitehall this season.
The Class C race steps off at 1:00 with Class D starting at 2:00.
On the girls side in Class D there is a group of Adirondack League runners entered who have battled head to head on a number of occasions, with each taking wins.
Olivia Schaffer of Fort Plain-Canajoharie, Sophia Squires of Hoosic Valley and her teammate Lily Czub all seem to have a legitimate shot at bringing home the top prize.
Alyssa Freeguard of Argyle won the ADK title and should be a top contender. Katrin Schreiner was beaten by Freeguard in the league meet, but Schreiner set a course record in the regular season meeting.
Hartford’s Brynne Tyler can also contend for a top 10 finish. Tyler was injured earlier the season but has been getting stronger and stronger in recent races. Lillian San Antonio of North Warren/Johnsburg, Taylor McLarty of Lake George Corinth’s Rylee Dunbar (the ADK runner-up) and Taylor Syvertsen of Lake George are also runners to keep an eye on.
Amber Gibbs of Granville-Whitehall would be one of the runners to watch in Class C but has been battling an injury the later part of the season that has hampered her availability to compete. Gibbs is the 2019 Adirondack League champion and had an 8th place finish earlier in the season at the Grout Invitational.
The Class C race is scheduled for 11:30 with Class D at noon.
Racing starts at 11:00 a.m.
