Cross-Country Success; First Female Returns to States in Thirteen Years

Last month on November 8th, the varsity Cross Country team competed in the annual Sectionals Championships at Knox Farms. Despite freezing temperatures, soft ground and a snow-covered course, the boys varsity team took seventh out of the Division II Teams, with girls taking second overall in Division II. Each team member all had recognizable effort and really tried their best to improve. 

One of the girls varsity top runners, Hailey Kliszak, had an especially great race that day. At sectionals, the top five runners who finish first in their race qualify for states, and the team that wins the race also goes to states. Hailey finished her race in the top percentage of girls who goes to states. To understand the extent of this accomplishment, our coach gave us the perspective that a girls varsity member from Lake Shore has not gone to states since 2006 for Cross Country. The whole team was extremely proud of the amount of hard work and determination Hailey put forth that day to accomplish this achievement. 

The New York State Cross Country Championships were held in Plattsburgh, New York this year. In order to travel to States, each athlete went with their coach to a meeting spot where they would all drive together on the bus to the location. For this meet, all of these athletes, even from different schools, are considered one team and represent their section; Section 6. They compete with other sections around New York to win the States Championship title. 

Hailey arrived in Plattsburgh, New York with Coach Brinkerhoff on Thursday, November 14th, which is two days before the race. They practiced and ran the course on Friday to get familiar with the terrain. Hailey stated that, “It was not a great course for being so snowy and soft.” Coach also commented that the course had to be snowblowed because of so much snowfall from the previous nights. The course for the practice that day was very wet and muddy, as temperatures were moderate. Overnight, Mother Nature took a turn and dropped temperatures to well below freezing. It froze the once soft ground and would lead to an extremely cold race day. Despite the 19°F whether, Hailey came in 53rd place out of approximately one hundred and twenty runners, and Section 6 won the race. It was an impressive race and the whole team is proud of the accomplishments and effort put forth despite the harsh conditions.