Published: May 08, 2008 11:12 am         

Coop Invitational 'one of best in years’

By ERIC AHLQVIST
Cooperstown Crier

When the Cooperstown Invitational was formed nearly 20 years ago, this was the kind of day organizers dreamed about.

Saturday’s 19th annual Cooperstown Invitational, now known as the Cooperstown Don Howard Invitational, had it all — great teams, great athletes and great times. ``This was one of the better ones we’ve had in a long time,’’ agreed current CCS boys track coach Joe Kennedy, who guided the Redskins to a second place finish behind Oneonta. ``I know Don wanted this meet to be a showcase for area talent, and that’s exactly what this meet was. We had a 42-foot triple jump, a 20-foot long jump, and just some great relay times.’’

Kennedy said last week his team’s balance would be the key to victory, and it nearly was as they racked up 75 points to finish second behind Oneonta, despite just one first place finish, from Ryan Huggins in the 400 hurdles.

Terrell Silvera took second in the discus and third in the shot put for Cooperstown, and Peter Edmonds took 17 seconds off his previous best in the 1,600 to take second place and 30 seconds off his previous best in the 3,200 to place third.

``I’m sure his times will raise some eyebrows in the rest of our league,’’ Kennedy said. ``Peter really responded to the challenge, and this might be just the beginning for him.’’

The Cherry Valley-Springfield boys took fourth place buoyed by a strong performance from Brian Sutton, who was a part of three school records.

Sutton ran the anchor leg of the winning 4x400 team, which shattered the old school record by three seconds with a time of 3:32.2; ran the third leg of the 400 relay team, which placed third and also set a school record of 46.9; and set an individual school record in the 200 meter dash with a time of 23.6 in the semifinals.

Sutton placed fourth in the 200, and was nipped at the finish line in the 400 by Bainbridge-Guilford-Afton’s Dustin Ross.

Both had official times of 51.2, but Sutton placed second by tenths of a second.

``Brian had a great day and we had a great day as a team against some very tough competition,’’ said CV-S boys track coach Jordan Jaquay. ``We were the top team from our league (Tri-Valley) which is also a good accomplishment.’’ ``Cherry Valley hasn’t been at this meet in a while, and I thought having them here really raised the level of competition,’’ Kennedy added. The toughest performance of the day was likely turned in by CV-S senior Jesse Miller, who cut his hand on his own spike during the triple jump, and went to Bassett Hospital to get 10 stitches in his hand. But he returned later in the day to take sixth place in the high jump.

CV-S will hold its own annual Invitational this Saturday, beginning at 2 p.m.

Coop girls place fourth The Cooperstown girls team finished in a fourth place tie with Oneonta, a result head coach Connie Herzig was happy with.

``We don’t have some of the big names like B-G-A and Sidney, but we have a group of girls who work hard and are proud of their accomplishments,’’ Herzig said. ``I think we’re really starting to come together as a team.’’

Junior Anna Weber had a big day for CCS, finishing second in the 400 hurdles and 100 meter dash, and third in the 100 hurdles, as well as competing in two relay races.

``I don’t know what else we could have asked from her, she was superb,’’ Herzig said.

Sidney won the meet, followed by B-G-A and Cobleskill-Richmondville. Cherry Valley-Springfield finished sixth, helped by Laura Kroon’s second place finish in the high jump (4-10) and third place in the triple jump (31-3).

``There were some fabulous times and a number of records set,’’ Herzig said. ``This meet could not be held each year without the help of the community volunteers, and I want to thank everyone who helped make the meet a success.’’