Staff Report
The Barker boys cross country team placed five runners in the top 40 on its way to the Class D state championship Saturday at Plattsburgh State. The Raiders, Section VI champions, scored 66 points — 10 better than second-place Beaver River.
Mike Lantinen was the team’s top finisher, crossing in 20th place in a time of 17:00.6. Erick Bennes was 22nd in 17:05 and Tyler Scheving took 23rd in 17:07. Ryan Lamb was 33rd, Jedadiah Platt came in 39th, David Poyfair finished 71st and Matthew Sweeney was 73rd.
In the Class C race, Royalton-Hartland’s Vince Donner was 14th in 16:30.8. Wilson’s Kevin Hanes was 19th in 16:39.7 and his teammate Mike Reubens came home 50th. Niagara-Orleans League foe Bryan Deibel of Albion, the Section VI Class B champion, was 10th in his race.
In the Class A race, Grand Island’s Nick Masiello was 30th and Zach Ahart of Starpoint came in 40th. Lockport’s Drew Perilli was the area’s top individual finisher, taking ninth in the Class AA race. North Tonawanda;s Jared Quinn was 83rd and Adam Zaczek of Niagara Falls was 102nd.
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY (black box)
Grand Island, the Section VI Class A champions, finished eighth in their class. Maritina Tsembelis was GI’s top finisher, coming across 33rd in a time of 19:33. Dominique DeGregorio was 80th, Megan Karpie took 84th, Ayla Marino finished 86th and Maggie DeMarco came in 89th.
In the Class AA race, the Lockport tandem of Maggie Russell and Allison Bartkowiak finished 82nd and 83rd respectively.
Newfane’s Sarah Ziemba was 58th in the Class B race, while Grace Rich of Albion was 74th. N-O counterpart Amber Sweeney of Barker was 31st in Class D, followed closely by teammate Deanna Platt, who finished 42nd.
