The Maple Grove boys cross country team, 2025 NYSPHSAA Class D runners-up. Pictured, from left to right, are Assistant Coach John Zuroski, Head Coach Bella Zuroski, Jack Sherry, Liam Price, Owen Erlandson, Ethan Verbosky, Josh Ashbaugh, Jacob Lewis, Ty Kraft, Assistant Coach Brendan Green. Submitted Photo

QUEENSBURY — The Maple Grove boys cross country team had quite the showing at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association cross country championships on Saturday morning at Queensbury High School.

The Red Dragons placed a pair of runners in the top 10 of team scoring to earn second place in the Class D championship. Leading the way was senior Ethan Verbosky with a time of 16:01.6 in the 3.1-mile race for third in team scoring and fifth individually. Then Ty Kraft finished shortly after at 16:49.6 for 22nd overall and eighth in team positioning.

“Our seniors — Ethan Verbosky, Owen Erlandson, Jacob Lewis, and Ty Kraft — have been outstanding leaders throughout their years on this team,” Maple Grove head coach Bella Zuroski stated. “And have done so much work year-round to better themselves as runners and build up the culture of Maple Grove cross country. So much of the credit for bringing home this state meet hardware goes to them.”

Section V’s Port Jefferson edged the Red Dragons for the team title 51-68, placing three runners inside the top 10 of team scoring. The top individual finisher in Class D was Ibrahim Ford of Arkport/Canaseraga/Alfred-Almond-V with a time of 15:30.9.

Adding to the Maple Grove team scoring was Jacob Lewis (17:18.1) in 13th and 38th overall, Owen Erlandson (17:28.1) in 16th and 46th overall, Jack Sherry (17:51.3) in 28th and 62nd overall. Liam Price (18:06.9) took 68th overall and Josh Ashbaugh (18:59.1) finished 98th in the state.

“We are also so proud of our underclassmen,” Zuroski added about the effect of senior leadership. “Josh Ashbaugh, Jack Sherry, Liam Price, and Finn Erlandson have followed their lead, dedicated themselves, and stepped up to get the team to this level. My co-coaches — my dad John Zuroski and husband Brendan Green — and I could not ask for a better group of kids to coach.”

Franklinville/Ellicottville senior Grant Cornell shined taking 29th overall at 17:01.9, jumping seven spots from last year. Clymer/Sherman/Panama eighth-grader Christopher Phelps had a strong states debut running to 45th with a time of 17:24.1.

Southwestern junior Emma Lewis is the only local runner to outdo Verbosky, racing to fourth place overall in the Class C girls race and a third spot on the NYSPHSAA podium with a time of 18:41.4.

Bronxville-I freshman Mia Horgan blazed the course to claim the Class C girls title with a time of 17:51.7. Horgan’s finish also led Bronxville to the team title with a low score of 77.

Fredonia/Westfield sophomore Izzie Czekanski made a strong introduction to states with a time of 20:07.3 to take 37th in Class C, while Clymer/Sherman/Panama seventh-grader Savannah Whitney was right behind her in 39th posting a time of 20:09.3.

The Maple Grove girls team fell short of its seeding in Class D, taking ninth place with a score of 168, while the team title was won by Section IX’s Tri-Valley with 62 points.

Anna Furman retained her title, scorching the course with a time of 18:06.9, giving her an individual crown and team trophy.

The Maple Grove effort was led by Lily Elliss (21:34.8) taking 26th with the team and 56th overall, Mae Benedetto (21:57.8) earned 30th and 63rd overall, Evalyn Fessel (22:09.7) took 34th and 70th individually, Laine Pillittieri (22:59.9) claimed 38th and 76th overall and Lily Bohall (23:02.9) rounded out the team with 40th and 78th overall. Camryn Allen (23:26.0) took 86th overall and Rylie Allen (23:30.6) was right behind her at 87th.

“Two of our seniors on the girls team,” Zuroski said. “Lily Bohall and Mae Benedetto, competed on the 2021 Maple Grove girls team who won sectionals and went to the state meet as 8th graders. It’s been their goal since then to lead their team back to the state meet, and we’re so happy for and proud of them that they were able to achieve that goal and compete as a team again at states their senior year.”

Frewsburg’s trio each finished in the top 70 with Jadyn Trocki (21:48.6) leading the way at 59th, Grace Gilevski (21:57.5) placed 62nd and Raegan Cheney (22:07.7) earned 67th.

Silver Creek/Dunkirk/Forestville sophomore Leah Mays cracked the top 75 in the Class B race with a time of 20:05.5 to take 61st overall, while teammate Hanan Mohamad Narvaez was 93rd at 20:57.2.

Sloan Wasserman was the top finisher in Class B with a time of 17:06.2, also leading John Jay/Cross River-I to the team title.

Fredonia/Westfield senior Pietro Cabitza had a great final crack at states in Class C, taking 54th overall with a time of 17:20.1.

Lansing-IV senior Trent Thibault claimed the individual title with a time of 15:28.2, but the team title stayed with Section VI as East Aurora dominated with four top 10 finishes for 30 points.

A pair of Jamestown seniors turned in solid performances in Class A. Finn Caswell posted a time of 16:50.1 for 80th overall, while Wyatt Olmstead ran 17:42.9 for 101st.

North Rockland-I senior Claudel Chery narrowly won Class A with a time of 15:10.4, also helping take home the team title with his performance.

The Class A girls champion also left with two first-place medals, as Leyla Bhusri posted a time of 17:11.2 as the top time and clinching position for Shenendehowa-II.

The last individual champion on Saturday was Manhassett-VIII senior Blake Sealy in Class B with a time of 15:24.2. The team champion was Section II’s Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake.

The top girls finisher in the state was Wasserman and Shenendehowa had the best team performance, while Chery was the fastest boy and North Rockland was the top team.