SECTION 4 CROSS COUNTRY: BAKER EARNS TRIP TO STATES FOR BLUE RAIDERS (9 PHOTOS) (2025-11-06)

BY BRIAN FEES
Southern Tier Sports Report
CHENANGO VALLEY — A year ago Mackenzie Baker dealt with injuries and missed the chance to run at sectionals and try and qualify for states.

On Thursday she was back at sectionals, running in the Section IV, Class A Championship, and earning a trip back to the state championships.

“It’s exciting, it’s very exciting,” Baker said. “It felt really good. I”m really proud I was able to get back and be able to do it again. That was what I was working toward and that was the goal and I’m really glad.”

It was a tough course for the runners, and Baker was happy to be able to run so well.

“I think it’s a hard course,” Baker said. “I think the goal was to be able to get there, get to states and I was able to do that.”

Baker ran right with a pair of Ithaca runners (Mattea Dauria and Avery Whittaker) and that helped her put up a good time having the to run with.

“They are great at pacing and I love running with them all,” Baker said. “My goal was to stay behind them and keep them and I think I did my goal. I got my goal, I wasn’t very happy with my time, but it happens. It’s a learning experience and now I can have redemption next week.”

Baker took fifth in 20:15.90. Suzanne Sydlansky was one spot off of states, taking 11th in 21:47.70. Hannah Sydlansky had a top-20 finish, taking 19th in 22:45.80. 

Aubri Houck finished 27th in 24:53.50 and Stella Harrison took 32nd in 25:35.80. 

As a team Horseheads finished third with 83 points, Ithaca won at 26 points. 

Now it’s onto states for Baker.

“I’m really excited, it’s going to be great,” Baker said. “Hopefully a little drier and maybe a little sunnier.”
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PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES

PHOTO GALLERY FROM SECTIONALS:

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