Published: October 31, 2009 10:40 pm      

CROSS COUNTRY: GI sweeps NFL Championships

GRAND ISLAND — Maritina Tsembelis kept her family’s name in the forefront at Saturday’s Niagara Frontier League Cross Country Championships.

A year after her brother Evan stole the show, the Grand Island senior finished first in a time of 20 minutes, seven seconds in wet and windy conditions at Beaver Island State Park to help the Vikings to a share of the NFL title with Lockport at 13-1. GI had 27 points, followed by Lockport (37), Niagara-Wheatfield (83), NT (125), Lew-Port (131), Kenmore West (134), Kenmore East (Inc.) and Niagara Falls (Inc.).

Individually, N-W’s Stephanie Schmidt was second in 21:20, followed by Allison Bartkowiak (Lockport, 21:47), Dominique DeGregorio (GI, 21:56), Emilee Petti (Lockport, 22:05), Ayla Marino (GI, 22:16), and Megan Karpie (GI, 22:19). The top seven runners were named first team all-NFL.

Second team all-NFL honorees were Chelsea Purton (Lockport, 22:28), Maggie DeMarco (GI, 22:38), Maggie Russell (Lockport, 22:53), Claire Whalen (Lockport, 22:57), Stephanie Bowman (N-W, 23:03), Catherine Heinrich (Lockport, 23:08) and Sarah Bartkowiak (Lockport, 23:12).

On the boys side, Drew Perilli of Lockport took first place in 17:31, but Grand Island was crowned team champions with an unblemished 14-0 record. The Vikings finished with 27 points, followed by Lockport (47), Niagara-Wheatfield (76), Lew-Port (118), Kenmore West (136), Kenmore East (139), Niagara Falls (155) and North Tonawanda (Inc.).

Individually, the first team all-NFL was comprised of Perilli, Nick Masiello (GI, 17:46), Derek Stacey (GI, 18:17), Jared Quinn (NT, 18:18), Jason Chadwick (GI, 18:32), Robert Fogle (Lockport, 18:34) and Adam Zaczek (Niagara Falls, 18:51).

Second team all-NFL honors went to John Soluri (N-W, 18:52), Brendon Lutnick (GI, 18:53), Mike Feeney (Lockport, 19:00), Cyle Alcorn (GI, 19:06), Phil Fending (N-W, 19:19:12), Brennon Cain (Lockport, 19:19) and T.J. Howley (GI, 19:25).

ECIC Championships

The Starpoint boys and girls won ECIC III titles at Alden. Zach Ahart finished second in the league in 17:42 to help the Spartans to their 14th consecutive overall league championship. Eighth grader Carl Daigler (10th) and freshman Paul Swartz (12th) were second team all-N-O honorees, while Sander Gasser and A.J. Mattina crossed in 15th and 16th.

The Lady Spartans shared the ECIC III championship with Amherst with identical 9-1 records. It is the fourth consecutive league title for Starpoint, which was led by Amy Cooper, who earned first team all-ECIC III honors with a third-place finish in 20:41. Eighth grader Livia Chase was fifth and Courtney Laderer came in sixth to round out the first team all-league selections for the Lady Spartans. Chelsea Hoehman (10th) and Audrey Collins (13th) were second team all-ECIC III honorees.

“It was a very good day for us,” veteran coach Brian Lasher said. “We’re proud to be champions again and carry on that tradition of winning. And so many of these kids are young, which makes the future very bright, too.”

Tonawanda did not report its results.

N-O Championships

The Barker boys placed four runners on the all-Niagara-Orleans League first team as they claimed their second consecutive undefeated championship season. Barker finished with 25 points, followed by Newfane (77), Roy-Hart (79), Wilson (89), Albion (106), Akron (186), Medina (186) and CSAT (224).

Albion’s Ryan Deibel was the race winner in 17:37, followed by Mike Lantinen (Barker, 18:15), Kevin Hanes (Wilson, 18:19), Erick Bennes (Barker, 18:24), Tyler Scheving (Barker, 18:35), Ryan Lamb (Barker, 18:35) and Frankie Pfeil (Roy-Hart, 18:40). Those seven comprise the first team all-N-O.

Second team all-N-O honorees included Jedadiah Platt (Barker, 18:42), Mike Reubens (Wilson, 18:51), Eddy Pfeil (Roy-Hart, 19:01), Cody Burns (Newfane, 19:10), Vince Donner (Roy-Hart, 19:10) and Josh Martin (Newfane, 19:12).

Newfane claimed the girls title for the second straight season with five runners on the first team. The Lady Panthers had 24 points, followed by Barker (76), Albion (92), Wilson (103), Akron (103), Roy-Hart (139) and CSAT (Inc.).

Akron’s Emma Wilson won the race in 21:22, while Sarah Sziemba of Newfane was second in 21:25. Rounding out the first team was Grace Rich (Albion, 21:30), Ki Ki Dy (Newfane, 21:31), Rachel Parker (Newfane, 21:43), Kelly Bochnewetch (Newfane, 21:53) and Erin Hannah (Newfane, 21:58).

Second team all-N-O honors went to Kelly Heuer (Roy-Hart, 22:09), Kate Bochnewetch (Newfane, 22:23), Amber Sweeney (Barker, 22:32), Kate Klossner (Albion, 23:00), Deanna Platt (Barker, 23:04), Amber Lehman (Wilson, 23:14) and Bridgette Austin (Wilson, 23:17).

Contact reporter Nate Beutel at 282-2311, ext. 2262.