WAVERLY'S VAUGHN PUNCHES TICKET TO STATES WITH SIXTH-PLACE FINISH AT CLASS C CHAMPIONSHPS

By: Tim Birney | Waverly Athletics | November 3, 2022 | Photo courtesy Brian Fees

CHENANGO FORKS — Waverly junior Elizabeth Vaughn beat Windsor’s Keira Smith to the finish line by the narrowest of margins, but that 0.4 seconds was the difference between a trip to the New York State Cross Country Championships, and the end of the season.

Vaughn finished sixth in the Class C Championships here Thursday at the Chenango Valley State Park Course, clocking in a 21:13.2 to win the fifth and final spot (top five not on the team champion advance) on the Section IV team.

"It's amazing. I can't put it to words,” said Vaughn.

“It took a long time to finally be able to be here,” she noted. “I’m really looking forward to what's to come next season.

“I’m so happy that this happened,” added Vaughn.

Vaughn concedes she didn’t run the perfect race.

"I felt like I could have pushed a little harder,” she said. “I wish I did, but I was feeling it from yesterday.

“It was a good run,” noted Vaughn. “I love this course.

“It's always fun to run it and I do enjoy running cross country,” she added.

Vaughn is not putting a lot of pressure or expectations on herself at the State meet.

“It will be nice just to run it and see what happens, I guess.”

Waverly sophomore Harper Minaker finished 13th in a time of 21:51.8, and freshman Mackenzie Chamberlain was 41st in 24:59.2.

The Wolverines had just one runner in the boys field.

Sophomore Braylon DeKay finished 67th in a time of 23:34.3.

Vaughn will run in the New York State Class C Championships Nov. 12 at 12:30 p.m. at Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School in Verona N.Y.