Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association cross country runners pose for a photograph before leaving Thursday for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Championships in Plattsburgh.

Submitted photo

Maple Grove’s cross country program has become a staple at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Cross Country Championships.

How much success have the Red Dragons had as a collective whole?

Consider this: Following a Class D team title at the recent Section VI Cross Country Championships, the Maple Grove girls team will be making its 11th straight appearance at the NYSPHSAA finals Saturday in Plattsburgh. The Lady Red Dragons captured state titles in Class D in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

The boys team also secured a Class D team title at the Section VI Championships and punched its ticket to a fifth straight appearance at the NYSPHSAA Cross Country Championships. The Red Dragons landed a Class D state title in 2016.

“The first thing we always say is that it takes a village,” Maple Grove head coach Steve Matteson said when asked about the program’s unrivaled success. “The kids put the hard work in. The parents take off of work. They put in the hours for our invitationals. The community members help come out to support and cheer us on. The coaches do their part. The teachers help us work with our schedule when we have to miss school. … It really is a community effort that’s just awesome. (The kids) started working hard throughout the summer and it is a long season. And for them to be able to work all the way through the season and get to their goal of states and, hopefully, a championship, it shows their tenacity.”

Matteson took over for former coach, Doc Rappole, in 2016. The current head coach stated that Rappole had a substantial impact on the program and continues to be an integral part of the team’s overall success.

“It was really cool how they welcomed me with open arms,” Matteson said. “They didn’t even know me at all. I wasn’t a Maple Grove graduate. … (Rappole’s) impact of building that relationship no matter who you are, you’re always welcome with him. And I’ve tried to keep that just like he has. Any time we have questions, any time that anybody needs something, he’s always there. … I walked into a program that was already built. It definitely is easier to do that than it is to have to build a program yourself. I am very grateful for what Doc did.”

On Saturday, junior Ava Crist, junior Christina Peppy, sophomore Abby Brunenavs, junior Tori Pavlock, sophomore Hannah Tarbrake, junior Carling Lockwood and eighth-grader Allison Bohall will represent the Maple Grove’s girls team.

“This season, we have a junior core-heavy crew for the girls,” Matteson explained. “They started out the season with the same goal that we have every season of trying to win a state title. And this year, you really noticed how the top girls really started to not just wish for this to happen, but they started hanging out together and doing team bonding together without a coach or parent to ask them to do that. … Taking the leadership role themselves without having adults to help guide them, that’s really what has impressed me.”

On the boys side, senior Pete Auer, junior Drew Kelemen, senior Riley Auer, senior Darius Jones, sophomore Lukas Baer, eighth-grader Alex Crist and senior Nick Brunenavs will vie for another state crown.

“I have four seniors on this crew that have been there together,” Matteson said. “… They know after this season, they might not ever have this together. Best friends will still be in touch, but this is the last time that they will totally be together during school, after school at practice and we’ve tried to instill in them that they need to take this time and not take any of it for granted.”

As far as the NYSPHSAA course goes, it’s on the campus of the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. Weather and course conditions are expected to be a major factor.

“The conditions are definitely going to play a role this year,” Matteson said. “… Now, we have about eight inches of snow up there I believe is what they’ve said so far. They have changed a little bit of the course … to try to accommodate the different conditions. … Overall, I think the snow will play a factor. But how it ends up at states is who has the most guts? Who’s got the most determination?”

When it comes down to it, Matteson can’t wait to see his kids perform against the state’s best yet again.

“I am so excited to have the state see what Maple Grove can truly do,” he said. “I really hope, and I know that we have the talent, the work ethic and the desire, to come back with our ultimate goals.”

NOTES: Southwestern’s boys team will compete in the Class C race after winning its first sectional team title since 2005. The Trojans’ team will consist of Dagon Bryant, Eddie Scroxton, Nate Lewis, Ethan Luce, Trenton Shutters, Carter McKotch and Brady Fye…. In Class D, section champ Ronan McDonald of Randolph will participate and will be joined by teammate Josh Walters and Frewsburg’s Toby Gifford. … Jamestown’s Drew Carlson will run in Class A after becoming the first Red Raider to qualify for the state championships since Brandon Delgado in 2010. … On the girls side, Fredonia/Westfield’s Emily Brown will take part in the Class C race. …In the Class D race, the Maple Grove team will be joined by Frewsburg’s Acacia Barber, along with Clymer/Sherman/Panama’s Kylee Odell, Hannah Schauman and Haley Odell and Randolph’s Elisabeth Root.