O’Neill’s varsity Cross Country team traveled to a snowy Plattsburgh — the northern part of New York State had a foot of snow just days before the meet — on November 15 so that they could compete in the 2019 New York State Public High School Athletic Association Cross Country Champion-ships.
The three mile course was run near the Ronald Stafford Ice Arena at SUNY Plattsburgh.
“The O’Neill Running Raiders braved the cold and the leftover snow and ran well on the frozen course,” Coach Terry Rafferty said, noting that the temperature was 15 degrees when the boys ran and 19 degrees when the girls ran.
Placing highest for the Raider girls was freshman Leah Richardson, finishing in 16th place overall in the Class C race, with a time of 18:06.9. Richardson qualified for the Federation championship race this past weekend at Bowdoin Park in Wappinger Falls.
Behind her were: freshman Allison Gash, finishing 50th with a time of 19:12.1; sophomore Angie Grunert, finishing 52nd with a time of 19:12.1; senior Kelly Boyle, finishing 77th with a time of 19:58.2; sophomore Aidan Smith, finishing 82nd with a time of 20:18.4; junior Jacqueline Evangelista, finishing 83rd with a time of 20:22.3; and senior Kortnie Wilkinson, finishing 101st with a time of 20:54.1.
Placing highest for the Raider, and just missing medaling, was junior Harry Marson, finishing 21st with a time of 15:39.4.
Behind him were: freshman Luke Schools, finishing 46th with a time of 16:14.6; junior Richard Gash, finishing 67th with a time of 16:36.1; junior Davis Yoshitani, finishing 85th with a time of 16:48.6; senior Isaac Walker, finishing 91st with a time of 16:53.2; senior Adam Sharifi, finishing 101st with a time of 17:13.8; and sophomore Ian Burpeau, finishing 106th with a time of 17:26.6.
“Thanks to all the parents who drove up to watch these kids perform,” Rafferty added, on behalf of himself and Coaches John Flynn and Rob Conklin. “This truly was a very special season.”