SECTION IV CROSS COUNTRY: S-VE’S GARRISON CRUISES TO CLASS D TITLE (2023-11-02)

By BRIAN FEES
Tioga County Sports Report
CHENANGO FORKS — Running by himself has been something that Spencer-Van Etten’s John Garrison has gotten used to this year.

The same thing happened on Thursday, only this time it was Garrison running alone in the front, cruising to a Section IV Class D title in 16:30.9.

“I’m pretty used to it at this point, honestly, with how things have been through my career,” Garrison said. “But, it’s definitely a challenge to push yourself, it’s a huge mental thing.”

For Garrison the race on Thursday went well.

“It went good,” he said. “It definitely could have gone better, but with how my legs were feeling it’s about as good as it could have gone.”

While the Class D boys’ race was the first of eight races on the day, that was a positive in Garrison’s mind.

“I think it’s more of a pro,” he said. “The course isn’t torn up. It was super muddy earlier this week, but getting out there before it is super torn up is definitely a pro.”

Winning a sectional title was the next step on Garrison’s list of goals for the year.

“It’s good, definitely one more step closer to the end of season goals, it’s a good step,” Garrison said.

For the S-VE senior a state title would be special, but the goal next week is to try and be top five and give himself a chance at the title.

“That would be amazing (a state title),” Garrison said. “I think my goal would be top five, but anything could happen at states.”

For Garrison he’s feeling good about the way he’s running as he heads into states.

“I’m feeling great,” he said. “Training has been peaking at the right time. Putting all the work in, everything has been tuned so I can run well at states.”

Spencer Van-Etten finished second as a team with a score of 74 on the boys side. Trumansburg won at 44.

Edward Rixford finished 11th in 18:57.3 and Brian Belanger was 14th at 19:13.1. Zachary Paucke was 32nd in 20:22 followed by Alden Salvato in 20:22.4.

Lincoln Jones was 52nd in 21:38.4 and Jayden Stone was 59th in 22:56.9.

S-VE took third in the girls race at 75 points, with Delhi winning at 23, followed by Newark Valley at 65.

Madelyn Ellison of SVE was 11th in 22:35.6 with Kirsten Garrison 15th in 22:55.3.

Grace Bishop was 23rd in 23:49.2 and Lucy Secondo was 31st in 25:58.8. Kaylee-May Davidson was 41st in 26:47.6 and Annika Walle was 55th in 29:30.2, while Sofae Cook was 62nd in 31:54.4.

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PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES.

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