Ellenville’s Cruz comes in 11th at state meet

Ellenville High’s Wesley Cruz placed 11th and the Mount Academy boys team was second overall in Class C Saturday at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association cross country championships held at Chenango Valley State Park.

Cruz, a senior, had the highest placing by any local runner. He handled the 3.1-mile course in 16:41.1 to finish 11th in the field of 131 competitors.

Mount Academy turned in a strong showing, but Watkins Glen claimed the first five spots by a team-scoring individual to easily win the title, 21-51.

Daryl Blough led the Eagles, finishing 15th in 16:44.0. Rounding out the Mount team were Bernard King (17th, 16:45.1), Kent Kurtz (20th, 16:47.2), Justin Compy (29th, 17:05.6), Brendan Baird (32nd, 17:11.4), Jamie Keiderling (47th, 17:31.0) and Adam King (78th. 18:05.1).

The top 20 — which include Cruz, Blough, Bernard King and Kurtz — individuals receive medals. The top two teams in each class receive plaques.

In the same C race, Rondout Valley’s Caleb Horwitz and Marlboro’s Cliff Rood were 53rd (17:37.4) and 59th (17:39.6), respectively.

Kingston junior Robert Becker placed 29th (16:17.3) in the Class A race, with senior teammate Jayson Hines 52nd (16:37.1).

“They ran especially well for themselves,” Kingston coach Joe Cahill said. “The course was nice. There were a couple of rolling hills in the last two miles, which made it an extra challenge.”

A pair of local juniors ran in the boys Class B race as Jack Hobson of Red Hook took 25th place in 16:35.8 and Wallkill’s Joe Pushman was 72nd (17:27.2).

The area’s four girls were much younger.

Red Hook sophomore Sheena Dwyer-McNulty was the elder stateswoman of the quartet. She was 52nd out of a field of 127 in Class B with a 20:07.9.

Rondout freshmen Morgan Juric and Jen Callen were 61st (21:14.4) and 70th (21:23.7), respectively, in Class C. Another freshman, Sarah Trainor of Roosevelt, placed 53rd in Class A in 19:31.5.