EDEN - Some of the best runners in Western New York were on hand for the Eden Red Raider Invitational on Friday and once again Fredonia's Lauren Reyda proved she's in a class of her own.
The sophomore helped lead the Lady Hillbillies to a first-place team finish when she crossed the finish line first in 18:07 - nearly a full minute faster than her closest competitor.
Michaela Tramuta was sixth in 19:46 as Fredonia took first with 48 points. The Lady Hillbillies were followed by Frontier (52), Hamburg (86), Springville (104), Silver Creek (123), East Aurora (B) (134), Lake Shore (153) and Eden (239). Dunkirk was incomplete.
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Fredonia’s Michaela Tramuta runs during the Red Raider Invitational Friday, in Eden.
Also running strong for Fredonia were Clare Foley (12th - 20:27), Jill Kowalski (13th - 20:28), Cori Gullo (16th - 20:37) and Meredith Zebracki (17th - 20:37).
"All of the kids ran significantly better than last year," Fredonia coach Carol Zirkle noted. "Jill and Cori were both over two minutes faster. Lauren and Michaela both ran very good races. All of the girls are running very well. They're doing what they need to do to prepare for Counties and Sectionals."
Calan Pogorzelski was Dunkirk's lone runner. She placed 33rd in 21:47.
Hannah Seiders (8th - 20:12) continued her strong season for the Black Knights. Also helping Silver Creek to a fifth-place finish were Emma Seiders (15th - 20:33), Rachel Radack (20th - 20:54), Claire Castiglia (39th - 22:21) and Sarah Adams (41st - 22:56).
Natalie Cummings (5th - 19:45) and Mary Beth Benzing (22nd - 21:05) were the top runners for Lake Shore.
On the boys' side, Lake Shore's T.J. Hornberger was the star. The junior won the race with an astonishing time of 15:11. He beat out teammates Ian Yargeau (16:20) and Calvin Butlak (16:23), who finished second and third, respectively.
Frontier won the boys' meet with 56 points followed by Lake Shore (62), Hamburg (91), East Aurora (B) (101), St. Francis (123), Fredonia (126), Dunkirk (146), Silver Creek (213), Timon (271) and Eden (279). Springville was incomplete.
Jacob Brown was Fredonia's top finisher in 11th place in 17:08. He was joined by teammates Josh Goodhue (17th - 17:32), Stephen Formanowicz (27th - 18:01), Mike Meredith (33rd - 18:24), Jacob Eckman (38th - 18:42), Nick Arcoraci (43rd - 19:01) and Liam Rankin (52nd - 19:35).
"This was the first time Liam has broken into the varsity lineup," Zirkle added of Rankin. "He ran 3:50 faster than last year.
"Jake Eckman was 3:07 faster than last year," she continued. "Josh Goodhue was 1:51 faster and Jake Brown was :51 faster. Those are significant improvements from last year. The guys have been working hard. It was very rewarding to see so much improvement."
Dunkirk was right behind the Hillbillies in the team standings and was led by Javier Soto (14th - 17:14). Also running for the Marauders were Ray Tarnowski (19th - 17:46), Ethan Francis (23rd - 17:55), Kevin Morales (43rd - 18:43), Billy Bradley (69th - 19:32), Tom Logan (83rd - 19:58), Ben Tarnowski (140th - 26:49) and Don Haynes (141st - 29:06).
"It was muddy in one spot," Dunkirk coach Kurt Warmbrodt said. "In the first quarter-mile you were buried. The kids loved it though. They had a good time. It's always good to have such good competition."
Silver Creek finished eighth in the boys' race and was led by Adam Tanner (24th - 17:55). Other Black Knights running well were Tyler Steklasa (37th - 18:31), Jake McDaneld (45th - 19:04), James Feldmann (53rd - 19:37), Jake Mullen (54th - 19:52) and Jack McAlevey (58th - 20:37).
All local teams will participate in the CCAA Championship Meet, held Friday at Long Point State Park. The boys will run first at 3:30 p.m. followed by the girls and then jayvees.
