Bayport-Blue Point Girls XC Shines at Grout Invitational

The girls cross country team did not let a chilly, rainy day dampen their drive and determination at the Grout Invitational Cross Country Meet held in Central Park in Schenectady, New York this past Saturday. 

Led by junior and sophomore , the varsity team took second place overall against a very strong field of teams from across New York State. Saroka and Dooley actually placed first and second in the Varsity heat. 

Saroka broke a Bayport-Blue Point course record held by Diane Heiser for ten years. 

Coach Vince Ungaro said the results of the invitational marked a significant moment for B-BP cross country.

This is the first time in B-BP history where two female runners took first and second place in a varsity invitational race," Ungaro said.

The JV team, led by Samantha Triani and Emma Suhr, placed third overall in the invitational.

Senior co-captain Nicole Kelly praised the girls efforts.

"The whole team ran amazing," she said. "We're all working hard and it's paying off in the meets.” 

The team is striving to repeat their championship season from last year and have won all of their league meets this season. They have their sights set on running in one of the nations largest cross country invitationals in Van Cordtland Park in the Bronx, NY next Sunday. 

Go Phantoms!

Thanks to John Kelly for providing Patch with this information and photo.