News Summary

East Aurora is celebrating the cross country accomplishments of local athletes Emilia O’Leary and Lillie Bogdan, who were recognized as Co-Runners of the Year at the 2023 Section VI Cross Country Championships. O’Leary, a seven-time state champion, and Bogdan, who won the girls Class A race, showcased exceptional skills at Bemus Point Golf Club. Other awards honored outstanding athletes within the community, reflecting a remarkable season for cross country runners in East Aurora. As the season wraps up, these athletes are set for exciting futures at prestigious colleges.

Celebrating Cross Country Excellence in East Aurora!

East Aurora is buzzing with excitement as two of its very own, Emilia O’Leary from East Aurora High School and Lillie Bogdan from Frontier High School, were honored as Co-Runners of the Year at the recent 2023 Section VI Cross Country Championships. This event took place at the beautiful Bemus Point Golf Club on November 3, and what a day it was for runners and fans alike!

A Day of Achievements

The spotlight shone brightly on Lillie Bogdan, who clinched victory in the girls Class A race with a stunning time of 17:49.35. It was an impressive display of skill and determination that left the crowd cheering. Not to be outdone, Emilia O’Leary also put forth her best effort, finishing with a personal record of 17:54 in the 5K. This outstanding performance not only earned her the honor of Co-Runner of the Year but also added to her already astonishing record of being a seven-time state champion in both individual and team championships.

Looking Ahead

As the season comes to a close, both young athletes have exciting plans for their futures. Emilia will be moving on to Providence College to continue her cross-country journey, while Lillie is set to chase dreams at Georgetown University. Both runners exemplify what it means to work hard and persevere, and their futures look bright with endless possibilities!

More Cross Country Stars

The awards didn’t stop there! Kirsten Melnik from Springville received the title of Senior Runner of the Year, while Melia Kupchanko from Williamsville North took home the honor for Junior Runner of the Year. Emma Lewis from Southwestern was celebrated as the Sophomore Runner of the Year, and the Freshman Runner of the Year went to Payton Fisher from Frontier. Not to forget, Aubrey Conti from Frontier was awarded the Eighth Grade Runner of the Year, and Eden Hillman from Newfane was recognized as the Seventh Grade Runner of the Year.

The First Team selections were quite impressive, featuring talented athletes like Aubrey Conti, Kylie Davis, Evelyn Hoak, and many others. The Second Team included strong contenders like Annabelle Czekanski and Elexa Duggan. Honorable mentions were also given to runners like Abbey Lamb and Emma Lipa, showcasing the depth of talent in the area.

Historical Performance

This year marked a significant turnout at the championships, highlighting the determination and hard work of local athletes. For instance, Kylie Davis showcased her skills with impressive times of 18:01.22 for 3 miles and 18:56 for 5K. She has qualified for the state meet three times and even made it to the New Balance national meet twice!

Melia Kupchanko had an outstanding season, winning her first cross-country race and breaking six school records in the process. Emma Lewis completed the state meet with a remarkable time of 18:51.90, earning her the title of All-WNY Junior Runner of the Year. Meanwhile, Kirsten Melnik, a four-time state qualifier, finished third at the state Class C race with a time of 18:29.6.

Kailyn Houghton played an essential role in East Aurora’s triumph in the state Class C team championship and has been an All-WNY selection for three years. All of this talent combined makes East Aurora’s cross-country team a force to be reckoned with.

Wrapping Up a Memorable Season

As the cross country season wraps up, it is clear that the hard work, dedication, and spirit shown by these remarkable young athletes truly deserve celebration. We can’t wait to see how they will continue to shine in the tracks and trails beyond their high school years. Congratulations to all athletes, coaches, and supporters for making this season a memorable one!

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