Two Section V runners earn titles at state cross country meet
VERNON – Precious little fazes William "Will" Tempest.
Not a surgeon's scalpel on his throat.
Not his dad yelling "get your butt moving!"
Not even the public address announcer at the state cross country championships bellowing "it's Pittsford Sutherland's Willie Tempest in the last 175 yards! Willie Tempest is your champion!"
"Yeah, where did they get that from?" Will Tempest laughed shortly after the junior pummeled the field loaded with seniors in Class B to be the second state champion from the Rochester area since Pittsford Mendon's Sam Lawler in 2019.
Three hours earlier Penn Yan senior James "J.D." Tette was the first, claiming the Class C title in his sixth year running varsity. He becomes Penn Yan's first boy or girl to win states in 65 years of the boys competition and 46 for the girls.
"Nobody calls me Willie," Tempest said, as his mom, Lynne, dad Andrew, and a half dozen other aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews lined the fence along the finishing chute at Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School in Oneida County Saturday to celebrate with hugs and high fives.
"Oh, I heard them yelling all right," Tempest said, "especially my dad.
"I went out pretty fast, and it was easy to tell that a lot of guys wanted this pretty bad. I stuck right behind the lead guys (including second place finisher Cayden Robleno of team champion Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake). I figured I'd wait. Then when they go I go."
It happened with about a mile left, just after he crested the one killer hill for the second time on the 3.1-mile modified double loop campus course. He finished with Section V's best time, sixth best overall, in 16 minutes, 9.3 seconds.
"It was unreal to take the lead and win," he said. "And to think a week ago we didn't think we'd even win sectionals."
Sutherland finished third in team scoring Saturday, breaking a tie with Section 1's Pearl River at 75 points because its No. 6 man, junior Maxwell Benoit, finished three slots ahead of Pearl River's No. 6 man.
Tempest's state title chances turned sour in late August, when he had surgery to remove a cyst in his neck. He took two weeks off on his quest to complete a 500-mile summer and missed Sutherland's first two regular-season meets.
When he returned, he won two Monroe County meets, managed a 16-minute time at the Baldwinsville Invitational before surprising everyone to win the league invitational at Parma Park, even breaking away from Fairport's Jake Passalugo.
"That opened my eyes," Tempest said. "I knew then I'm in the mix for sure. My goal is simple. Do the best with what I have."
Long time coming
Back when James David "J.D." Tette was a seventh-grader, Penn Yan varsity coach Rick Smith says he knew what could be in store when he saw him run for the first time.
"I told him so," Smith said. "This is finally the day. It's been a long time coming."
Tette, whose 16:13.5 finish turned back 130 others in Class C Saturday, flopped to the ground in the chute and managed to say "this was the hardest race of my life." The best, too, on a resume that includes four sectional titles and medaling in eighth last year at states in 17:25.5 on this same course.
"I was sick that day," he said. "I suspect it was COVID. This year I'm healthy, thank goodness."
Strong top 10
Junior Haylie Smith ran what she called a "really fun" race and finished eighth in 18:54.9 in Class A, the best finish for a Rush-Henrietta girl since Sammy Watson's sixth in 2016 at Chenango Valley State Park near Binghamton. It was Smith's third time at cross country states, all on the V-V-S course. By comparison she ran 19:31.6 as a sophomore and 19:48.6 last year.
"It's so exciting to be around all these great runners," she said. "I pushed as hard as I could back in the woods and then kicked at the end. I don't think anybody passed me. I was around 20th at the mile."
Meanwhile, Fairport senior Ari Reback, who ran the race of her life to win sectionals, struggled with a 40th finish, in 19:51.4. She was 27th at states last year, in 19:48.1.
Crushing loss
The great expectations for Fairport's top-rated Class A boys came crashing down as early runners crossed the finish line with no white Red Raiders jerseys in sight.
For the record, the seven boys who had set their sights on earning Fairport's first state team title came in like this – senior Jake Passalugo, 20th in 16:28.7; sophomore Austin Bubel, 24th in 16:34.0; senior Connor Roeser, 42nd in 16:55.0; senior Owen Willard, 48th in 16:59.4; senior Tyler Fischer, 51st in 17:00.9; sophomore Henry Hill, 67th in 17:13.7 and senior Colin Lesher, 77th in 17:32.5.
"It wasn't our day," coach Ben Bulkeley said. He was at a loss to explain it any further, though he did mention Bubel and Roeser as having good days. "We have two weeks to recover," he said.
Fairport is planning to run Nike regionals at Bowdoin Park in Poughkeepsie Nov. 25, the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Small consolation, but the race was extremely close among the top four. Saratoga Springs edged Monroe-Woodbury (Section IX) in a tie-breaker. Both had 75 points. Auburn (Section III) followed with 81 and Fairport 85. Fairport's highest previous finish in eight previous trips was second in 1989, led by Nate Ruder.
Little sis excels
Williamson sophomore Hannah Governor is already surpassing her older sister, Alexa's, cross country marks. Of course, it's racewalking that's Alexa's strength. The Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester first-teamer, ranked seventh in the country, is pursuing her racewalking career at Division II University of Cumberland in Williamsburg, Kentucky.
Meanwhile Hannah's the first to make it to cross country states, and was eighth in Class D in 20:13.8.
"This is a tough course," she said. "I felt I went out pretty good and just gave it my all to the end."
Dominance in D
Oakfield-Alabama senior Connor Domoy knew there was trouble ahead when, after sticking with Tri-Valley junior Van Furman of Section IX for the first mile in the Class D race, they crossed over the first hill and Furman took off.
"We (Domoy and South Lewis senior Collin Stafford ) were trying hard to make it up but there were so many turns in the woods it was tough," Domoy said. "We all ran against each other at the pre-states invitational here. He (Furman) did good. I did bad."
Domoy was 10 seconds back of Stafford and 21 behind Furman then, in mid-September.
At the finish line Saturday Furman's 15:58.3 was the day's third sub-16 time, 21 seconds ahead of Domoy.
Oakfield-Alabama/Elba was third in team scoring.
Steady Ollie
Four seconds behind Domoy came Oliver "Ollie" Simmons, a Pittsford resident and Harley School sophomore who Harley-Allendale Columbia coach Dan Deckman calls "the smartest racer I’ve had."
"He handles pressure extremely well," Deckman said. "He has a good racing head, executes a plan very well. I told him before the start, you've earned the right to be here. Go.' "
Simmons, who says he tries to "save a little" for the last mile because he considers himself a miler first and foremost (4:27 personal record), regrets a bit that he could have pushed harder in mile two.
"That's a hard course. The first time I saw it was a walk-through yesterday."
Other bits and pieces
Next year's competition returns for the first time since 2013 to the Queensbury High School campus course in the North Country before coming to Section V's Letchworth Park course.
Rush-Henrietta coach Mike DeMay, Section V boys chairman, says he already feels a buzz of excitement to prepare for bringing it back to the Genesee Valley . . . besides O-A/E the best team finishes for Section V were Sutherland's third in boys B, Arkport-Canaseraga/Alfred-Almond's fourth in girls D, Churchville-Chili's fifth in girls A led by Alexa Briggs' 13th-place medalist finish and Sutherland's fifth in girls B . . . Many complained of the cold, because temperatures hovered in the low 40s, the sky was overcast with dark clouds that looked like rain and there was a steady breeze.
Jim Castor, retired assistant sports editor of the Democrat and Chronicle, has covered running in the Rochester area for more than five decades. He can be reached at jcastor@jimcastor.com
State Championships
At Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School campus course, town of Vernon, Oneida County. 5K (3.1-mile) open-loop course.
BOYS
Class A
Teams (9): 1. Saratoga Springs-Section II 58, 2. Monroe-Woodbury-IX 58 (sixth-man tiebreaker) Section V: 4. Fairport 85.
Individuals (107 finishers): 1. Nolan McGinn (Fayetteville-Manlius-III) 15 minutes:48.7 seconds. Section V: 16. Ryan Giglia Jr. (Churchville-Chili) 16:25.2, 19. Jerry Lewis (Webster Thomas) 16:28.7, 20. Jake Passalugo (Fairport) 16:28.7, 24. Austin Bubel (Fairport) 16:34, 28. Nathan Sikorski (Churchville-Chili) 16:39.4, 34. Christian Wescott (Rush-Henrietta) 16:47.8, 42. Connor Roeser (Fairport), 16:55.0, 47. Toby Dickerson (Spencerport) 16:59.2, 48. Owen Willard (Fairport) 16:59.4, 51. Tyler Fischer (Fairport) 17:00.9, 67. Henry Hill (Fairport) 17:13.7, 77. Colin Lesher (Fairport) 17:32.5.
Class B
Teams (10): 1. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake-II 53. Section V: 3. Pittsford Sutherland 75.
Individuals (116 finishers): 1. William “Will” Tempest (Pittsford Sutherland) 16:09.3, Others from Section V: 9. Nathaniel Fisher (Brockport) 16:41.5, 13. Logan Canfield (McQuaid) 16:50.1, 21. Ryan Meehan (Pittsford Mendon) 16:58.0, 22. Max Schnittman (McQuaid) 17:01.7, 35. Andrew Cole (PS) 17:25.7, 38. Braeden Krenzer (PS) 17:29.6, 44. Jack Andrews (PS) 17:39.1, 54. James Casey (PS) 17:46.5, 58. Maxwell Benoit (PS) 17:53.0, 62. Luke Schickler (McQuaid) 17:57.1, 73. Ethan Ruest (PS) 18:16.7.
Class C
Teams (11): 1. East Aurora-VI 49. Section V: 10. Marcus Whitman 206.
Individuals (131 finishers): 1. James "J.D." Tette (Penn Yan) 16:13.5, Others from Section V: 43. Desmond Hill (MW) 17:47.3, 65. Ethan Tonkinson (Newark) 18:12.7, 66. Brendan Laity (MW) 18:14.9, 75. Lachlan Dickmann (MW) 18:27.0, 76. Nathan Robson (Waterloo) 18:29.5, 90. Matthew Mulvaney (Livonia) 18:34.9, 100. Ryan Bosch (Livonia) 18:44.7, 104. Sam Virkler (MW) 18:47.6, 115. Max Clovis (MW) 19:01.9, 120. Chris Westermann (MW) 19:33.9, 124. Dylan O’Connor (MW) 19:47.7.
Class D
Teams (10): 1. Pine Plains-IX 38. Section V: 3. Oakfield-Alabama/Elba 90.
Individuals (115 finishers): 1. Van Furman (Tri-Valley-IX) 15:58.3. Section V: 2. Connor Domoy (O-A/E) 16:19.9, 6. Oliver Simmons (Harley Allendale Columbia) 16:36.5, 18. Ibrahim Ford (Arkport-Canaseraga/Alfred-Almond) 17:01.8, 19. Simon Aguilar (Geneseo) 17:02.1, 22. Jude Rischpater (Bloomfield/Naples) 17:10.8, 32. Lincoln McGrath (Byron-Bergen) 17:44.8, 35. Logan Clark (O-A/E) 17:55.5, 58. Trevor Enes (O-A/E) 18:45.6, 59. Eli Williams (O-A/E) 18:50.7, 60. Eli Loysen (O-A/E) 18:51.5, 72. Mark Bondaruk (O-A/E) 19:17.4, 88. Jackson Delpriore (O-A/E) 20:08.7.
Federation championship qualifiers: Teams from Rush-Henrietta and Spencerport, plus Oliver Simmons (HAC), James “J.D.” Tette (Penn Yan), Devan Renjen (Penfield), Simon Aguilar (Geneseo).
GIRLS
Class A
Teams (9): 1. Saratoga Springs-II 24. Section V: 5. Churchville-Chili 123.
Individuals (107 finishers): 1. Emily Bush (Saratoga Springs-II) 17:34.3. Section V: 8. Haylie Smith (Rush-Henrietta) 18:54.9, 13. Alexa Briggs (C-C) 19:02.9, 21. Audrey Gleghorn (Rush-Henrietta) 19:21.5, 25. Aubrey Smith (Irondequoit) 19:29.7, 22. Hannah Devine (Brighton) 19:21.6, 36. Hannah Khuns (C-C) 19:44.7, 40. Ari Reback (Fairport) 19:51.4, 60. Aubrey Sudol (C-C) 20:27.8, 80. Madelyn Sichak (C-C), 82. Michaela Goettel (C-C) 21:12.7, 94. Maria Mullen (C-C) 21:53.3, 107. Gabrielle Toates (C-C) 22:41.1.
Class B
Teams (10): 1. Sayville-XI 41. Section V: 5. Pittsford Sutherland 114.
Individuals (115 finishers): 1. Sophia McInnes (Bayport-Blue Point-XI) 18:00.5. Section V: 24. Kate Brennan (Honeoye Falls-Lima) 19:59.0, 25. Reid Smith (PS) 19:59.4, 30. Mallory Hildreth (Pittsford Mendon) 20:06.3, 37. Irene Sesnie (Honeoye Falls-Lima) 20:33.7, 44. Adriana Ochoa (PS) 20:40.7, 47. Molly Fantauzzo (PS) 20:46.9, 48. Sarah Hanfland (Pittsford Mendon) 20:49.0, 56. Marianne Spyra (PS) 21:02.0, 64.Talia Goldstein (Pittsford Mendon) 21:11.8, 70. Ella Rice (PS) 21:20.7, 74. Gabrielle Spyra (PS) 21:02.0, 81. Kimberly Ludwig (PS) 21:41.9.
Class C
Teams (11): 1. East Aurora-VI 22. Section V: 10. Wayland-Cohocton 214.
Individuals (131 finishers): 1. Emilia O’Leary (East Aurora-VI) 18:42.7. Section V: 37. Alexa Wolfe (Bath) 21:05.8, 38. Hope Ammarell (W-C) 21:06.0, 53. Rachael Gray (W-C) 21:34.1, 61. Bailey Nixon (Attica) 21:55.6, 88. Morgan Ball (Dansville) 22:49.3, 93. Riley Goodwin (W-C) 22:54.3, 96. Elisa Bodin (Hornell) 22:58.1, 103. MaryLi Nielsen (W-C) 23:29.7, 120. Isabella Feely (W-C) 24:52.8, 122. Austrayla Mossburger (W-C) 25:11.1, 127. Ashley Feely (W-C) 25:57.2. Addison Bree (Waterloo) did not start.
Class D
Teams (10): 1. South Lewis-3 53. Section V: 4. Arkport-Canaseraga/Alfred-Almond 90.
Individuals (111 finishers): 1. Brynn Bernard (South Lewis-III) 18:56.0. Section V: 8. Hannah Governor (Williamson) 20:13.8, 13. Emily Lamb (Geneseo) 20:26.5, 23. Hope Troutman (A-C/A-A) 20:50.5, 28. Catherine Staley (Geneseo) 21:10.6, 29. Rose Wilson (Byron-Bergen) 21:18.7, 37. Anna Lyons (Addison) 21:29.4, 44. Lizzy Young (A-C/A-A) 21:52.5, 47. NyVeah Stewart (A-C/A-A) 22:04.1, 54. Alivia Kocan (A-C/A-A), 22:34.1 61. Grace Hartman (A-C/A-A) 22:53.7, 91. Paige Pfaff (A-C/A-A) 25:13.8, 99. Jacey Payne (A-C/A-A) 26:14.1.
Federation championship qualifiers: Teams from Rush-Henrietta, Irondequoit and Fairport, plus Hannah Governor (Williamson) and Emily Lamb (Geneseo).
Complete results online at www.leonetiming.com and www.nysphsaa.org
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: NY state cross country championship: Two Section V runners earn titles
