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Night Owego Invitational - Dash in the Dark: A Unique Cross Country Event

The Owego Free Academy Cross Country program is making history with its first-ever nighttime invitational, "Dash in the Dark." This one-of-a-kind event, held on September 13, 2024, transforms the traditional cross country experience into a spectacle under the Friday night lights. With over 900 runners from 33 schools, participants from modified to varsity levels race through the Owego Free Academy campus under the glow of stadium lights, accompanied by music and a lively atmosphere. This event is not just a race but a celebration of cross country in a setting that’s never been seen before.

Race Schedule for Dash in the Dark

The night kicks off with a free 1k Kids Fun Run at 5:50 pm, followed by the modified boys’ races for large and small schools at 6:00 pm and 6:20 pm. Modified girls take the stage next, racing at 6:40 pm and 7:00 pm. The JV boys are set to start their race at 7:30 pm, leading up to the varsity girls at 8:15 pm and varsity boys wrapping up the evening at 9:00 pm. Each race finishes dramatically inside Christy J. Valvo Stadium, giving runners the experience of crossing the finish line in front of cheering spectators on the 50-yard line.

Throwback: Results & Photos from 2018 Owego Invitational

Location and School Participation

Owego Free Academy’s campus, including its surrounding fields and stadium, serves as the racecourse for this unique event. The Dash in the Dark has attracted an impressive 33 teams, with schools coming from across the region, including large programs like Corning and Horseheads, as well as smaller schools like Northeast Bradford and Sidney. This strong participation underscores the event’s growing reputation and appeal, making it a highlight on the cross country calendar.

Varsity Girls Highlights

The Varsity Girls race was highly competitive, with Ithaca’s Tsadia Bercuvitz taking the top spot, finishing first with a time of 13:52. Ithaca continued their strong performance with Avery Whittaker securing second place at 15:26, and Maren Golden finishing in 10th place with a time of 17:26, demonstrating the depth of their team. Owego Free Academy’s Jaelyn Chrysler also had an impressive race, finishing fourth overall with a time of 15:35. Sara Bronson from Athens Area rounded out the top three, finishing strong in 15:32.

Owego Free Academy had a solid team effort, placing several runners in the top 20. After Chrysler’s fourth-place finish, Stella Palladino came in with a time of 17:40, closely followed by teammates Maddison McEvoy and Abigail McHugh with times of 17:43 and 17:44, respectively. These consistent performances helped Owego secure a second-place team finish.

This exciting race showcased the exceptional talent from various schools, making the first-ever night invitational a thrilling and unforgettable event.

JV Boys Highlights

The JV boys race features strong performances from a variety of schools, including Chenango Valley, which has been building momentum throughout the season. Other teams, such as Sidney and Troy, have also shown depth in their JV squads, which will make for an exciting race. Athletes competing in the JV race will gain valuable experience as they prepare for future varsity-level competition​.

Modified Teams Highlights

For the modified divisions, Northeast Bradford boys dominated the small school race, sweeping the top five positions led by Levi Dewing and Josiah Russell​. In the large school races, Corning’s boys and girls teams showcased their strength with numerous top-10 finishes, particularly in the girls' division, where Corning's Vanessa Topielec and Ithaca's Cora Hayes both performed exceptionally well​. The modified races offer a glimpse into the future stars of cross country, as these young athletes put their skills to the test in this thrilling event.

The Dash in the Dark invitational has set a new standard for cross country events, blending excitement, competition, and community in an unforgettable night of racing.

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