CVAC cross country all stars

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January 30, 2012

Anonymous Press-Republican The Press Republican Mon Jan 30, 2012, 02:23 AM EST

The 2011 Champlain Valley Athletic Conference cross country all stars:

Boys

Peru's Dan Lennon, a two-time all-star and team captain, had an outstanding season. He was undefeated all season long and won the NYSPHSAA state championship. He took second place at the Northeast Regional Footlocker Race and placed 21st at the National Footlocker Race.

Beekmantown's John Graziane, a first-time all-star, gave the Eagles much needed depth as the team's fourth runner. Graziane's work ethic and mental toughness helped lead him to an eighth-place finish in Class B and an 11th-place finish in the CVAC. He competed in his first state championship, finishing 120th.

Colin Quackenbush, a sophomore two-time all-star at Beekmantown, established himself as one of the league's top runners. Quackenbush was the runner-up in Class B and finished fifth in the CVAC. He competed in his second state championship, finishing 99th.

A senior captain, Beekmantown's Matt Simpson showed leadership that helped propel the Eagles to upset wins in the CVAC and Class B championships. Simpson finished fourth at sectionals and seventh in the CVAC. He competed in his second state championship, finishing 112th.

A first time all-star, Beekmantown's Jordan West was a consistent third runner and played a big role in the Eagles' championship season. West improved steadily throughout the year and had his best races at the end of the season. He finished third in Class B and sixth in the CVAC. West competed in his first state championship, finishing 102nd.

Peru's Kyler Agoney is a first-time all-star. He is a great contributor to the Peru team and is always working hard to be successful.

Peru's James Downs is a transfer from Seton Catholic who is also a first-time all-star. He is a strong runner who was an integral part of the Peru team. Downs was always looking to improve from each race he ran.

Jared McLean, in his first year on the cross-country team, became a first-time all-star for Peru and a strong runner for his team.

Plattsburgh High's Jeriqho Gadway is a freshman and first-year cross-country runner. He ran at states and at the federations. He is an extremely strong athlete and much will be expected of him the next three years.

A senior, Plattsburgh High's Borge Wiik is a student from Norway who competed in his only year at the school. Wiik, who ran at the states, is a nordic skier and runner back home.

Seton Catholic's Bowen Christopher is a first-year varsity runner who was a pleasant surprise to the team. He hadn't run cross-country since eighth grade. Through his hard work and dedication, he became a key ingredient in the Knights' success this season. The junior was the No. 3 runner for the Knights the majority of the year.

Mitchell Ryan, a three-time CVAC all-star, was the Knights' top runner for the majority of the season. Only a junior, the assistant team captain led the Knights to the Section VII Class D championship. In doing so, he also was the Class D individual winner. Ryan went on to place 21st in the NYSPHSAA Cross-Country Championship Meet Class D race. He also represented Section VII in the Federation Meet held at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls.

Barrett Waling is a four-time CVAC all-star and a key ingredient again in Seton Catholic's success this season. The senior team captain placed second in the Class D state qualifier meet. He went on to place 39th in the NYSPHSAA Cross-Country Championships at Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School.

Sophomore Tyler Belden was consistently Ticonderoga's leading runner this year. He finished his season with a third-place finish in the Section VII Class D state meet qualifier race and achieved 48th place at the NYSPHSAA Class D championship ace.

Junior Javeed Nazir, from Ticonderoga, showed steady improvement and a consistent work ethic this season while being very competitive in his races. Nazir finished fourth in the Section VII Class D state meet qualifier race and finished 56th at the NYSPHSAA Class D championship race.

Sophomore Josh Wade of Saranac is a three-time all-star selection and the team's top runner since he was in eighth grade. He finished fifth at the sectional race and is a three-time state qualifier.

Zach LePage, an eighth grader at Saranac, is a first-year runner and state qualifier.

Girls

Beekmantown's Maile Sapp, an outstanding leader and captain for the Eagles, overcame early season injuries and illness to become a three-time all-star. Sapp's determination and positive attitude helped her finish fifth in Class B and 10th in the CVAC. Sapp competed in her third-consecutive state championship, finishing 102nd.

Lake Placid's Gabby Armstrong, a seventh-grader, ran cross-country for the first year on the varsity. Armstrong is a seasoned athlete, who also competes in ski jumping and cross-country skiing. She is extremely talkative — during hill repeats, intervals and at the start line. She qualified for the state meet and ran a personal record this year of 21:12.

Lake Placid freshman Nina Armstrong is a second-year varsity cross-country athlete. She is also a seasoned athlete who always works hard. You can find her roller skiing, running, or hiking even on her days off. Armstrong is a second year all-star and state qualifier for Section VII and Class D. Her personal record is 20:15.

Senior Justine Rabideau has been a team leader for Northeastern Clinton since her freshman year. She provided valuable leadership and demonstrated a tremendous work ethic. Rabideau had another strong season with a ninth-place finish at the Queensbury Invitational, 34th at Burnt Hills, and 12th at the Section VII meet. This is her second all-star selection. She also qualified for her third state meet appearance.

Samantha Smith had a terrific sophomore year at Northeastern Clinton. She earned the top spot for the team and led the way all season long. Smith has learned to be a front runner and team leader. Her season included a sixth at Queensbury, 28th at Burnt Hills and 10th at the Section VII meet. This is Smith's second all-star selection and her second trip to the state meet.

Peru's Cheyanne Dobozy is a second time all-star and one of the Indians' top runners. She is an extremely tough runner who is always setting goals to improve.

Peru's Taylor Durocher, making the all-star team for the first time, showed great improvement from last year due to a strong summer training program. She is very motivated.

This was the first year for Peru's Ashley Leta in cross-country and she made the all-star team. She was the Indians' top runner and a great asset to an already strong girls' team.

A second-year all-star, Peru's Meghan Mazzella showed improvement throughout the season, with one of her best races at CVACs. She is another tough runner who was a strong contributor.

The list of Peru all-stars was rounded out by Maria Remillard, a team captain and two-time all-star. One of the Indians' top runners, she runs with heart and guts.

Plattsburgh's Emma Deshaies, a talented track runner, decided to try cross-country for her senior year rather than soccer. She had an incredible first year in the sport, leading the Hornets all season long. She finished second overall in Section VII, earning her a spot on the New York State Federation Team.

Saranac Lake's Elena Beideck, a junior, has been a CVAC all-star in 2009, 2010 and 2011, along with being on the state team for those three years.

Only an eighth-grader, Seton Catholic's Margaret Champagne is already a two-time CVAC all-star. She led the Knights to a 17-1 regular season record, along with the Section VII Class D title. Champagne, the CVAC overall girls' winner, went on to finish on the podium for the second year in a row at the New York State Cross-Country Championships where she finished 11th out of 116 runners.

Seton Catholic's Phoebe Christopher, also an eighth-grader, had a very successful first varsity season for the Knights. She was consistently the Knights' No. 3 runner throughout the year. She is a hard worker with a bright running future.

Seton Catholic's Melissa Whyman is a sophomore assistant captain and a three-time CVAC all-star. She struggled with an injury at the start of the season but came back and ran strong at the end. Her strong work ethic and leadership skills are a great asset for the Knights.

Morgan Kelley, a senior, was a Saranac captain who is making her third appearance on the all-star team. A two-time state qualifier, Kelley led the Chiefs to its first title since 2001.

Lexi Blockson, a Saranac freshman, is making her first all-star appearance in her first year as a varsity runner.

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Honorable mention

Boys

Keenan Hunt-Stone, Plattsburgh

Heath Andre, Saranac

Austin Medeiros, Saranac

Evan Page, Seton Catholic

Coach of the Year- Brian Kiely, Ticonderoga

Ray Holmes Sportsmanship Award- Beekmantown

NYSPHSAA Sportsmanship Award- Class B, Dan Lennon; Class C, David Dormann, Saranac; Class D, Tyler Belden, Ticonderoga

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