by Jen Burhans
The Berlin cross country teams will be continuing their success stories by sending five members to the State Championship. The teams had been very successful running in the Patroon League, but this year they moved to the WASAREN League. The WASAREN League is a combination of teams from Washington, Saratoga and Rensselaer Counties. Some of the best runners in New York state compete in this league. Berlin was confident that they had a good chance of being competitive here because of the strength of their veteran runners and the potential of their younger runners. The boys team did very well through the season and were able to win the WASAREN League Championship. The girls put together a great run, winning some head to head competitions, and took sixth in the league. Kayleigh Corrado made the All-Stars representing the girls, and the boys added Alex French, Lew Palmer, Conner Hoyt, Erik Viner and Rocco Farano to the All-Star team.
At the Section II meet last Friday both teams were looking good to win the Class D group but had some stiff competition from other top teams. Both teams did very well but were turned away from their entire team traveling to the State Meet by single digit losses. Kayleigh Corrado with a second place finish and Hannah French with a seventh place qualified to compete at the State meet Saturday. Lew Palmer, eighth place (Berlin’s lone senior), Alex French, third place, and Conner Hoyt, fifth, place will also continue on to the State Meet.
Both teams finished in second place and brought back plaques for their school to hang alongside numerous others. Coach
Rick Ingraham has been coaching the cross country teams for many years. He credits the year round hard work of each athlete and the leadership that each senior passes down to the upcoming captains.
Berlin is gaining a reputation as a good place for colleges to look for runners. Every year BCS sends athletes to compete at the state level furthers that reputation. Best of luck to our State competitors.