HIGH SCHHOOL GIRLS' CROSS COUNTRY: YOUTH AND EXPERIENCE FOR AREA TEAMS AT STATE XC (2022-11-11)

By Brian Fees
Southern Tier Sports Report
For area cross country runners it’s a mix of youth and experience at the New York State Cross Country Championships.

Elmira, Horseheads and Notre Dame have four runners between them at states. Two of them — Elmira’s Vicky Mordvinova and Piper Young of Notre Dame — are seniors who are veterans of the state meet.

The other two runners, Ella Devlin of Elmira and Mackenzie Baker of Horseheads are underclassmen making their first trip to the state meet in their first season at the varsity level.


ELMIRA’S YOUTH AND EXPERIENCE
Mordvinova earned her second straight sectional runner-up finish last week and now she heads to states hoping for big things.

“Vicky is a leader who works hard and leads by example,” Elmira coach Amy Balash said. “She is a constant source of encouragement and motivation to her teammates. Vicky is a consistent in her performances and will definitely be missed next year.

“Vicky has run some big PR’s this season, so we are excited to see where she can place at the state meet this year. Vicky had to miss running at the pre-state meet (VVS Invitational) earlier this season because of a minor foot injury. So, we are definitely excited for her to be able to get out on this course and be competitive in her final state meet.”

While Mordvinova will run in her last state meet her teammate will run in her first.

Devlin is an eighth-grader who is headed to states in her first varsity season.

“Ella works so hard and is so determined to be successful,” Balash said. “It is so fun to watch her get out on a cross country course and race. She knows what she wants to accomplish and goes after it. It’s always a goal for athletes to get to the state meet, but to do it as an eighth grader is definitely impressive. She wants to learn and improve and is constantly listening to her coaches and teammates to help herself get better. Qualifying for the state meet is special and to be able to do it as an eighth grader is exciting.”

Having a senior and an eighth grader both running at the state meet, has also meant a lot of Mordvinova working with Devlin.

“Vicky has recognized Ella’s talent and work ethic and has really taken her under her wing this season,” Balash said. “It will be special to have the two of them experience the state meet together this year.”


HORSEHEADS’ FANTASTIC FRESHMAN
Coming into the year Baker never expected this kind of success in her freshman year.

“This fall was Mackenzie’s first season running varsity cross country,” Horseheads coach Kim Ballet said. “As an incoming first year freshman expectations were not exceedingly high. Mackenzie began her season with a 22:57 time and within a few weeks she was making good strides. Midway through the season at the McQuaid Invitational Mackenzie broke the 21 minute mark with a 20:32, placing fourth and giving herself a confidence boost that continued to push her to strive for her best and realize that her hard work was paying off. By the end of the season at the STAC Championships Mackenzie had broken the 20 minute mark with a remarkable time of 19:50, taking over three minutes off her beginning of the season time.

“Mackenzie showed up to practice each and every day with a positive mindset and the willingness to put in her best on a daily basis. She took what she learned from each week and at each meet and applied those strategies and techniques. As the weeks progressed her determination and passion began to set in.”

Getting to states this early in Baker’s career is special.

“Making states is a difficult task for anyone,” Balliet said. “Even your veteran runners, so Mackenzie making it to this level of competition has made her coaches and her teammates very proud.


YOUNG CAPS CAREER WITH ANOTHER STATE APPEARANCE
Since eighth grader Young has finished every season at states, minus the one year that Covid wiped out the state meet.

The Notre Dame senior is ready to run at states for the fourth time this year.

“It is very exciting to see Piper make it back to states,” Notre Dame coach Brett Shelton said. “She worked really hard this year to make it this far. She’s had some ups and downs but has fought thought them all to make it to this point.

“Piper has been a rock for this program. She has learned from all of those who came before her and has passed that along to the rest of her teammates. Piper has been like another coach on the team, she has been through a lot and has been able to offer that experience to her teammates. She will be missed when she graduates.”

Shelton is ready to see how Young runs in her final state meet.

“It’s been very special for Piper to make it to states this year,” he said. “She set a goal at the beginning of the season to make it to states. Every practice and every meet has been a step to get to this point. We are very excited to see how she runs this year.”
——
PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES