BEMUS POINT - While it's not too often that a congregation of young women show up at a town board meeting, seven attended the last meeting in Ellery.
Recently, the Ellery Town Board honored the 2012 Lady Red Dragons cross country team, which clinched the Class D state title last year.
"We have a special occasion this evening," said Arden Johnson, town supervisor. "We have some great girls here who really excelled this fall, and they took the Class D championship for the state in (cross country), and the town board would like to congratulate every single one of you on your accomplishment."
Article Photos
From left: Kathy Burnett, Abby Sirwatka, Hope Pietrocarlo, Taylor Norris, Carolina Benson, Stephanie Krempa, Ally Saar, Megan Marsh and Robert A. Rappole accept trophies from the Ellery Town Board.
P-J photo by Remington Whitcomb
To recognize the Lady Red Dragons' accomplishment, the board passed a resolution to declare Jan. 10, 2013, as a special day of recognition for the state champion team.
"As the 2012 Maple Grove girls' cross country team has earned a state championship and represented our community ... and as the team has brought a great deal of enjoyment, pride and recognition to our community ... and as we want it to be known how proud we are of this team, we resolve to make this day a day of recognition for the team," said Johnson.
Following the resolution, the board presented the runners, coach and Maple Grove athletic director with trophies for their accomplishments.
Runners present were: Abby Sirwatka, Hope Pietrocarlo, Taylor Norris, Carolina Benson, Stephanie Krempa, Ally Saar and Megan Marsh. Robert Rappole was present in place of his father, coach Robert "Doc" Rappole, and Kathy Burnett was present as Maple Grove's athletic director.
However, Burnett wanted her title to be listed as something else in this article.
"I'm these girls' biggest fan," said Burnett.
Burnett, and the rest of Ellery, were given plenty to cheer about.
At states, Pietrocarlo took third, Marsh took 10th, Benson took 14th, Norris took 16th and Sirwatka rounded out at 25th, giving the team a score of 42.
Greenwich, the second place team at states, finished with a score of 63.
After the presentation of the trophies, the runners received a round of applause and standing ovation from the board and all those in attendance.