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Tuesday Night Wayland-Cohocton hosted its first home cross country multi-team meet. Although it looked like a fast moving thunderstorm might interrupt their plans, the runners were able to take to the course under clear skies. This year the squad is coached by Head Coach Molly Oas and Assistant Michelle Curtin. They are also joined by another adult teammate, Mr. Gary Moore. Mr. Moore has joined the coaching squad as a tethered running partner for varsity team member Sam Drake. Sam has a vision impairment and Mr. Moore runs tethered to Sam verbally cuing him to any obstacles along their running path. 

“Coach Moore is a great addition to our team,” said Coach Oas. “We are so grateful that Sam has the opportunity to run these races and get the full experience that cross country has to offer with Coach Moore’s guidance out on the course.” 

Sam was excited for his first home meet., “I made my goal of completing the course in under a half-hour,” he said after coming across the finish line. He’s looking forward to continuing to improve his running times. 

Mr. Moore is a great addition to the group and an experienced runner. Mrs. Curtin was given his name through a mutual acquaintance while talking about the team’s effort to find Sam a running partner. Mr. Moore practices and competes with Sam. He’s a soft-spoken man who gives Sam his space, but once they are partnered up with a tether for the race - the duo gets down to business. Coach Moore assists Sam by pointing out obstacles along the race route. n his first home meet, Sam finished with Mr. Moore by his side, with a time of 29:24. 

Welcome to the nest, Coach Moore! We are proud to have you be part of the squad.

Wayland-Cohocton put up some strong finishes Tuesday evening. Also on the boys squad: Justin Schecter placed sixth for the boys’ squad and Connor Mead and Josh Delafield earned 18th and 19th respectively for the boys. The girls’ squad ran well with Rachael Gray earning fourth place, MaryLi Nielsen earning sixth, Ashley Feely earning seventh and Audrey Vosburg placing ninth. Congratulations to these runners at their first home event!

Members of the Cross Country squad include: Jesse Smith, Sam Drake, Eli Vosburg, Audrey Vosburg, Bryan Wolfanger, Wes Morrell, Josh Delafield, Connor Mead, Justin Schecter, Hunter-James Tucker, Rachael Grace Gray, MaryLi Nielsen, Ashley Feely, Timothy Gray (modified)

Sam Drake and Coach Moore prepare for the first home cross country meet.


Coach Moore (left) and Drake (right) run as a tethered team. Drake made his time goal in his first home meet. 

The Wayland-Cohocton Cross Country Team!