CHENANGO VALLEY --- A beautiful day for running at Chenango Valley State Park set the stage for state-qualifying performances from teams and runners in Broome County.

Vestal, Union-Endicott, Johnson City and Maine-Endwell all competed in the Class B races.

The Golden Bears took the team qualification for states, ending with four runners in the top 10. Andrew Herceg led Vestal with a 17:36 time and finished third overall. Takumi Guay and Frank Consolazio finished fifth and sixth respectively with times of 18:07 and 18:07.30. Sebastian Coulton landed in tenth place with a time of 18:13.70. 

Vestal head coach Stephen Marcin glowed about his team's showing.

"We knew we had depth this season and one of the things that made us really strong was if we had a few guys who didn't have a good day, we have a few guys who can step up and fill those places," Marcin said. 

With four top ten runners on the day, the head coach called back to the build of his team.

"We don't have front runners this year like we did last year. Our strength is in our pack," Marcin said. 

Two UE runners slotted into state qualification. Joshua Mayer finished second overall with a 17:31.90 time and Nicholas Luti took fourth with a 17:49.40 time. 

Jacob Sonner of ME claimed the final spot for states with an 18:09.40 time. 

The Tigers finished third overall and the Spartans ended in fourth. 

On the girls' side, UE's team found its way back to state. Dakota Limbert blazed that trail, finishing second overall with a 20:20.30 time. The Tigers continued to paint the top 10 with Wyoming Trudeaux's fifth-place finish and 21:11.20 time. 

Madison Buckley took second and Sadie Limbert ended eighth with times of 21:31.70 and 21:55.20. 

D. Limbert, a four-time state qualifier individually, hopes to make an impact with her next appearance at states. 

"The past couple of years I've gone it's been pretty overwhelming," Limbert said. "This year I want to make it good because I've been there and I know what to expect." 

Cassandra Burt impressed for ME with a third-place finish and a 20:40.50 time. 

Bianca Ortiz and Hellen Zhang both secured state qualification with times of 20:54.90 and 21:27.90 for fourth place and sixth place. 

Maine-Endwell finished third, Vestal finished fourth and Johnson City claimed fifth place.

In the Class D girls race, Gracie Williamson of Seton Catholic qualified for state, finishing eighth overall with a 22:09.90 time. Williamson expressed her joy with her run.

"I just feel amazing. This is my first year on varsity and I worked so hard in my modified season," Williamson said. "I just wanted to do something great and I have a love for running so it makes me feel awesome."

The state-qualifying teams and individual runners will compete next Saturday at Veron Verona Sherill High School. 

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PHOTOS BY ANTHONY GOSS