Irondequoit senior Emily Quinlan led the team with a second place finish in 20 minutes, 32 seconds, just being edged out by four seconds by first place finisher Taryn Hand of Brighton (20:28). Other schools participating in the meet included Fairport, Brighton, Pittsford-Mendon, and Greece-Olympia, with the Fairport team coming out on top.
“This was definitely a team effort on all the girls,” said Irondequoit girls’ coach Ray Manuszak. “All 16 of my runners did an amazing job. We have six brand new members on the team and more then half of the girls are sophomores and freshmen. Although they’re young, the kids really bonded together and they all finished the race. I’m very proud of them.”
“Emily did a great job out in front. She’s been training all summer, first attending Empire State Games in Buffalo and attending camps. The other girls are definitely getting stronger as our practices continue and now our first meet is done. I think I’ll continue to see improvement in all our runners as the season progresses.”
Senior Megan McHugh was the second Eagle runner to cross the finish line placing tenth, as she ran the course in 22:08, followed by sophomore Maureen Jones in 14th place (23:20).
Other Eagle finishers include Christine Braggins (25:28), Rachael Harvey (25:35), Emily Kieliszak (26:11), Crystal Cody (26:18), Jennifer Ford (26:20), Jessica McHugh (26:52), Rachel Carstens (27:45), Amanda Grabowski (27:46), Lisa Philippone (28:07), Jessica Rainey (28:10), Jennifer Rafferty (29:23), Jordan O’Brien (29:39), and Heather Mason (29:45).