Breaking Records and Taking Titles

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A sunny Friday afternoon paved the way for the 2016 Section II Cross Country Championships at Saratoga State Park. Both the Saratoga Springs High School boys and girls cross-country teams entered the day’s competition with undefeated overall records. The Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake boys cross-country team also entered the run with an impressive record of 11-2. The highlight from the Class B Boys section of the race was Evan Brennan. The Burnt Hills-Ballston Spa runner finished the race with a time of 15:34.94. This time was enough to earn him the third place finish. The Spartans also captured the best overall team score for the event. As a whole the team finished the race with a final time of 1:19:58.05. With these victories the Spartans improved their overall record to 13-2. Saratoga Springs High School boys finished strong in the Class A standings. Senior Declan Hines finished second overall in the race, crossing the finish line with a final time of 15:06.90. His teammate Shea Weilbaker finished in fourth. The team earned the top spot in the team scores with a time of 1:17:53.20. While both the SSHS boys and girls cross country teams entered the day’s competition undefeated, arguably the most impressive highlight of the race came on the female side. At the conclusion of the day’s event, the Saratoga Springs High School girls cross country team captured its 17th straight XC title, their first title victory dating all the way back to 1999. The team earned the top spot in the team scores with a time of 1:30:10.79. Kelsey Chmiel made history for the Blue Streaks. The sophomore captured first place in the Class A girls section of the race, finishing with a time of 16:41. 12. This time becomes the new course record, previously set by Saratoga alum Nicole Blood with a time of 16:41.9 back in 2004. Through these impressive victories both Saratoga Springs High School Cross Country teams keep their undefeated records in tact. The boys improve to 15-0, while the girls improve to a remarkable 11-0. With this meet in the books, all three teams will gear up for the New York State Championships. The event will take place at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls, New York. Last year’s meet ended fairly well for each team. The Spartans’ boys finished with third overall as a team. While the SSHS girls finished second overall as a team, and Kelsey Chimel finished with the third-best individual race time of the day. Those interested in more information can visit www.section2harrier.com.