Saturday Sports: South Lewis Girls’ Cross Country brings home state title, reflects on season
TURIN, New York (WWNY) - Last weekend, one North Country team brought home a State Championship, something that’s becoming the norm for this talented cross country squad.
The South Lewis Falcons Girls’ Cross Country Team captured their 3rd state title in the last 6 years last weekend at Vernon Verona Sherrill, winning the Class D team title.
Coach Jack Bernard says this year’s state championship was a work in progress.
”I wouldn’t say it was a surprise because we were trying to build this team last year at this point in November. It just came together. Kids did great throughout the year. I would say we weren’t the favorites at the beginning of the year, but towards the middle we thought we had a chance. We knew Delhi-South Kortright was gonna be our competition. We trained hard over the last 3 weeks, 4 weeks. The girls were ready to run and definitely performed very well.”>
Brynn Bernard led the way for the Lady Falcons, winning the individual title in Class D and teammate Mallory Kraeger finished 9th.
With 9 runners, 4 of them seniors, it was a team effort to bring home the school’s 2nd state championship in the last 3 years with hard work and dedication playing a big role in the teams success.
”Everyone’s worked so hard. We all deserve to win. Everyone’s worked so hard and so grateful for that,” said Brynn Bernard.
”Yeah, I think definitely the work that we’ve all put in over the summer really showed. It all came together at the right time for us. Everybody playing their part at states really is what sealed the deal for us,” said Mallory Kraeger.
”Yeah, it’s definitely a big accomplishment and kind of a dream come true. It’s not often that you get to say you’ve won 2 state titles in the last 3 years. I think it’s very cool that we got to do that as a team,” said Grace Bailey.
Adding more hardware to the trophy case is becoming the norm for the Lady Falcons, something Bernard says he’s like to keep doing despite losing some talented runners.
”Well, we’d like to keep going. Expect the most and try to get the most out of it while you can. Each year, different bunch of girls and boys, and see what we can do,” said Coach Jack Bernard.
The South Lewis Lady Falcons are becoming one of the dominant girls’ cross country programs not only in Section 3, but New York State.
At Potsdam High School Friday, Potsdam athlete Lindy Betrus signed a letter of intent to continue her indoor and outdoor track career at the University of Buffalo.
Betrus, who holds a number of records at Potsdam, is excited to take her talents to a Division 1 program and says the Bulls are a perfect fit for her both academically and athletically.
”I went on a couple of visits and I also spent a lot of time looking at their programs because ultimately that’s the most important to me is academics. I felt really invited and welcome by the team and the coaching staff. I’m a big fan of a lot of their programs. I thought it was a really competitive school athletically and I’m really excited to go there. It’s been a lot of hard work, but I’ve had a really good time because a bunch of really competitive girls besides me on my team that have helped push me at practice and outside of practice,” said Betrus.
In Women’s ECAC hockey, 5th ranked Clarkson hosted number 11 Yale.
There was only 1 goal in this game as Darcie Lappin tallies late in the 1st period and that would be the difference.
Clarkson remains unbeaten, shutting out Yale 1-0.
Also in Women’s ECAC Hockey from Appleton Arena, 7th ranked St. Lawrence took on Brown.
St. Lawrence gets on the board first when Kennedy Emerson dents the back of the net: 1-0.
Still in the 1st, Sarah Marchand lights the lamp to up the St. Lawrence lead to 2-0.
St. Lawrence goes on to shut out Brown 4-0.
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