HS Sports Roundup: Running Results and A Football Match-Up

The Tappan Zee High School boys and girls cross country teams return to action today fresh off impressive showings at the 72th Grout Invitational at Central Park in Schenectady on Saturday.

Tappan Zee meets the host Pirates and the harriers from Clarkstown North in a triangular meet this afternoon in Pearl River.

The Tappan Zee girls team, ranked in the top 10 in the region and powered by Caile Kohlbrenner's runner-up showing, finished a strong second in the Division I race, totaling 39 points in a field of 11 schools. Colonie won the race with 33 points.

The boys, led by Nathan Kotch's 12-place showing, finished fifth with 129 points, also in a field of 11 schools over a 2.75-mile course. Connetquot took first with 33 points.

Complete TZ results:

Girls: Kohlbrenner, 2nd, 16:38.94; Kellyanne Bondulich, 4th, 16:41.99; Taylor Jo Gillen, 6th, 16:48.87; Madison Goldrick, 7th, 16:50.71; Meagon Jaskot, 20th, 17:34.76; Matilda Mullen, 22nd, 17:47.51; Megan Curran, 27th, 18:12.90.

Boys: Kotch, 12th, 14:21.41; Joe Dinan, 16th, 14:26.76; Conor Kohlbrenner, 26th, 14:49.46; Chris O'Brien, 34th, 15:06.82; Nick Aleles, 48th, 15:45.04; Jack Skelly, 52nd, 15:53.41; Kyle Grant, 60th, 16:27.98.

Rebuilding Nyack back at home

Coach Miles Taylor's girls team is already making progress by fielding a full team— the first time this has happened since the 2004 season. Today, the girls and boys host powerhouse North Rockland and Suffern.

"Our goal is to get better as the season progresses," Taylor said.

The top returnees are seniors Renee Roncace and Sally Gale. The emergence of juniors Lauren Voss and Eva Ferdinand and freshman Zoe Robertson bodes well for the future.

The Nyack boys, who graduated four of seven runners from last season, are hoping to go .500 this year, led by top returnees and seniors Danny Roncace and Bob Beaumont. Other help is expected from juniors Julio Melendez, Conor Prouty and Kyhl Gill, senior Eduardo Subelza and ninth-grader Dimas Molin.

"We had a great summer," Taylor recounted. "The younger kids are challenging the upperclassmen, which makes practice very competitive. We hope this carries over into meets."

Tappan Zee looks to rebound on gridiron

Previously undefeated Tappan Zee traveled to Newport, RI, for a non-league game on Saturday and was toppled 27-8 by the host Vikings of Rogers High (3-1). The Dutchmen, now 3-1, visit Port Chester on Saturday for a tough Section 1 challenge.

Tappan Zee will meet a Rams team that is also 3-1—but one that is coming off a 34-6 non-league victory over Blind Brook. The Tappan Zee junior varsity team stays at home on Saturday to meet their Port Chester counterparts.