by Ryan Mosher
Every year the Schuylerville Classic Invitational draws many of the top track team and individuals in Section 2 to compete in one of the final tune-ups before league and sectional championships. This meet also previews some of the top individual match-ups of the season as well. This year’s invitational previewed two great matches, both involving a Berlin runner.
Berlin senior Casey Gilbert has had his eyes on Schuylerville senior Shane Wagner in the 400m hurdles for
the past few seasons. Wagner, ranked number three in New York State in the event, is headed to UAlbany next year to run track. Gilbert is headed to UAlbany’s America East Conference opponent Binghamton where he will also run track. Wagner led from the start of this race, and in the end both he and Gilbert had left the rest of the field in the dust. Gilbert trailed by a step at the final hurdle, and Wagner held him off to take the win. The winning time was 54.20 seconds; Gilbert crossed in 54.75 seconds.
The other big match was in the 400m race. Gilbert was matched-up against Saratoga’s Jordan Stevens. While Gilbert led most of the race, Stevens used his extremely long strides to catch up and bring everyone a great finish. Gilbert held him off in the end, recording a time of 49.63, while Stevens finished in 49.68.
Other top finishers for Berlin were Rachel Ferris in the girls 400m hurdles, finishing 5th, and Kayleigh Corrado winning the girls frosh 100 meter dash in 13.49 seconds.