Sullivan West boys and Tri-Valley girls prevail at dual meet

Matt Layman and Courtney Roosa are victorious

By RICHARD A. ROSS

JEFFERSONVILLE, NY - With the graduation loss of talented Sullivan West runners, including April Ackermann, Jessica Wagner and Amanda Ward, coach George Shakelton briefly considered retiring with the success achieved by his team in 2005 that won the Section 9 Class C title and finished third in the state

But Shakelton’s thoughts of leaving vanished with the next wave of talented stars on the horizon, led by whirlwind standout Rianne Erlwein. Erlwein (22:39) finished third in the dual meet against perennial rival Tri-Valley, behind leaders Courtney Roosa (21:46) and Rachel Sanborn (22:21).

Erlwein embodies the kind of verve and confidence that Shakelton hopes will be contagious to Jamie Moran, Elizabeth Peters, Katey Dnistrian, Kasi Pilney, Victoria Peters, Stephany Robison and Katie Fenshaw.

Other returnees, include the team’s senior stateswoman Chelsea Schadt and Kendra Barker, Sara Alsdorf, Charlotte Peters and Julie Schultz.

The Tri-Valley Lady Bears are always contenders. This year, Shannon Hornbeck is back with a passion and is joined by track veteran Kathryn Schneyer. Look for Naomi Weise and Caroline Bertholf to make major contributions.

Livingston Manor’s hard-working Jen Green (22:53) took fourth place. Tiffany Roberts and Kristen Scott joined her.

Tri-Valley edged Sullivan West by a single point, 28-29 but the two teams are no longer in the same division.

In the boys’ race, Sullivan West’s Matt Layman (18:48) held sway from the get go, although teammate Brett Cucci (19:00) pushed him steadily along. Tri-Valley’s Michael Kaplan (19:49) finished third ahead of teammate Nick Denman (20:01).

The Bulldogs got a great performance from Rob Ward, who returns to the circuit after a year’s absence. Ward (20:22) took fifth and helped the Bulldogs win the meet 23-32 over the Bears. Sullivan West’s new runners include Dallas Ripley, Danny Brennan, Nick Cucci, Stefan Levinson, Michael Sheldon and veteran Leland Peterman.

The Bulldogs are the defending Section 9 Class C champs. They placed fifth at states last year.

Tri-Valley returns Justin Tompkins and added Michael Freeman, Tom Riordan, Jeremy Kinney and Corey Pomeroy.

Livingston Manor’s Greg Lewis (20:36) took sixth. Other Wildcats included Chris Sanders, Alan Davis and Dan Turner.

For a complete list of results and an album of photos visit riverreportersports.com.