Cross Country

Stately race

Sullivan West’s Seidl is third in ‘C’ boys, Monticello’s Fingers is sixth among ‘A’ girls at states

By RICHARD A. ROSS

KINGS PARK, NY —Sullivan County’s top boy and girl cross-country runners made their case for statewide recognition with fine performances at the NYS Cross Country Championships held at Sunken Meadow Park on November 8.

In the boys race, Sullivan West senior Colin Seidl finished third with a time of 17:01.8 in a marked improvement over his debut year in 2007 when he finished seventh (16:25.6). Many times were slower than last year though local returnees mostly finished in higher places. Disparity in times from last year is attributable to the difficulty of this year’s course. Monticello junior Dave Wilbur moved up six places this year to 48th with a time of 17:55.8. His time was slower than his 54th place finish a year ago (17:19.6).

Teammate, junior Thomas Gonzalez made his first state meet appearance with a 69-place finish in 18:18. In Class D, Livingston Manor’s Greg Lewis did not run. Eldred eighth grader Alex Campanella finished 86th in 19:58.8. Senior Matt Campanella was 103th (21:05.3).

In the girls Class A race, Monticello senior Jessica Fingers finished sixth (19:03) improving on her 21st-place time of 19:19.6 a year ago. Freshman Justine Davis was 42nd with a time of 20:45, while senior Emma Cohen was 44th (20:43.3). A year ago, Cohen finished 65th but ran a slightly faster time.

In Class C, Tri-Valley’s Rachel Sanborn finished 23rd in 20:45.4. Sanborn moved up from last year’s 35th spot despite running a slower time this year.

Sullivan West’s Rianne Erlwein finished 34th (21:07.8). She moved up two places from 2007 but she too ran a slower time than a year ago.

Tri-Valley’s Caroline Bertholf took 41st (21:30.2), a dramatic improvement from her 64th place finish in 2007 in 21:17.

In Class D, Eldred freshman Christine Donnelly finished 52nd (23:12.5). A year ago, she finished 51st in 22:01.5. Teammate Kristina Brown came in 68th (23:44.4).

Congratulations to all of the Sullivan County state finishers.