BRONSONS RECORD TOP 20 FINISHES IN SMALL SCHOOL RACE AT McQUIAD INVITATIONAL

By: Tim Birney  /  October 2, 2021  /  Photo: Liza Henderson

ROCHESTER — The Athens duo of freshman Sara Bronson and junior Emma Bronson, and Waverly freshman Harper Minaker all finished in the top 20 in the Small Schools race at the prestigious McQuaid Invitational here Saturday at the Genesee Valley Park.

Athens finished 18th in the team standings in a race that featured 30 complete teams, and a field of 260 runners.

“McQuaid is always a great experience for the kids,” said Athens coach Scott Riley. “It’s the largest field size they compete in all season.

“This gives all the kids other runners to race with throughout their race,” he noted. “Saturday was no different, and we saw strong efforts from all the kids as we head into the last few weeks of the regular season.

“These were very competitive races with schools from all around the region,” added Riley.

Sara Bronson finished 12th in 20:01.5, and  junior Emma Bronson was 16th in 20:13.4 to lead the Lady Wildcats, while sophomore Thea Bentley was 147th in 24:12.0, sophomore Emily Henderson was 215th in 26:17.3, and sophomore Cailyn Conklin was 217th in 26:24.0.

Minaker led the Lady Wolverines with a 23rd-place finish in 20:28.9, while sophomore Elizabeth Vaughn was 62nd in 22:02.6, senior Olivia Nittinger was 126th in 23:40.3, and sophomore Ally Barrett was 210th in 26:02.1.

JUNIOR HIGH RACE
Athens finished 17th out of 21 complete teams, while Waverly was incomplete. There were 181 runners in the field.

Waverly 7th-grader Lauren Gorsline finished 15th in a time of 10:57.4, while 7th-grader Taylor Sinsabaugh was 82nd in 13:11.2, and 8th-grader Sophie Williams was 134th in 14:51.0.

Eighth-grader Addison Bruns finished 16th in 10:58.6 to lead the junior ‘Cats, while 8th-grader Olivia Cheresnowsky was 67th in 12:39.9, 8th-grader Kayla Marshall was 97th in 13:34.6, 8th-grader Victoria Gao was 100th in 13:40.9, and 8th-grader Madeline Henderson was 170th in 18:22.2.