BEAR MOUNTAIN–– Sullivan County was well represented last week at the Section 9 Cross Country Championships. Representatives from Eldred, Fallsburg, Liberty, Manor/Roscoe, Monticello, Sullivan West, and Tri-Valley schools were all in attendance. The hard work and dedication of these athletes over the course of this season was apparent. They have made their coaches, schools, and the county proud. 

The top finisher for Liberty was Braeden Clarke, running his seasons best time at 21:32. Monticello’s Diya Patel and Eduardo Salinas were exceptional at this meet. Both athletes ran right into the top 10 finishers in the class B races. Freshman, Baya Titus also of Monticello ran her season's best and will join teammate Diya Patel in the NYSPHAA Cross Country Championships on November 16 in Queensbury. 

Fallsburg school ran in class C and their top finisher was Joslyn Odell-Schreier who finished in the top 20 in that race. Coach Danielle Halikias said, “this year we are focused on mental toughness and getting over mental barriers to be sure they were prepared for big meets like this.”

The class D boys and girls races was packed with local runners from four of the seven local schools in attendance. Sullivan West sent nine athletes to this competition and their boys team came in 5th overall. Eighth grader, Bryce Bressler ran his seasons best time of 18:26 and finished in 7th place and was only “one away” from qualifying for states, said his coach, Sean Reuss but he’s in eighth grade and he’s got quite a future ahead of him.” Layla Wilkin was SW’s top finisher for the girls. Jaxen Counts was one of the top finishers from Eldred along with his teammate Lillian Fisher. Anthony Hicks and Cullen Hess both finished in the top 20 for the combined Manor/Roscoe team.

The Tri-Valley cross-country team this year has proven to be contenders. The first-place finishers in the Class D races were brother and sister, Van and Anna Furman. Coming in they were the favorites to win, and they did just that. Tri-Valley will send a total of 13 runners to the NYSPHAA Championships, including their boys team which took home the Section 9 class D title. Additional top finishers for TV were Aaron Edwards, Wyatt Morton, Em Richardson and 7th grader Kenzie Krier all finishing in the top 10.